Tucked between two bustling baseball fields and with wisps of clouds overhead, scores of people gathered at Bell Memorial Park this past weekend to celebrate the new members of Milton’s Wall of Fame.

This wasn’t the largest class in Wall of Fame history, which honors exemplary athletes and artists with Milton roots, as well as coaches and “builders” who helped lay the groundwork for all participants’ success. But multiple speakers remarked that Saturday’s crowd was the biggest since the program began seven years ago. That’s a testament to the impact and popularity of the 2025 honorees.

Parks and Recreation Director Tom McKlveen opened the October 25 ceremony by lauding this year’s class.

“They represent the very best of Milton and our community,” McKlveen said. 

Mayor Peyton Jamison followed by praising the volunteers-turned-inductees who “chose something bigger than themselves” and “showed up again and again.” He noted how, over a long period, they consistently delivered for their athletes and programs and, in so doing, leave behind a strong legacy.

Then, one-by-one, the honorees’ accomplishments and impacts were described before each of them addressed the crowd. 

• CHRIS RECH, a longtime baseball and football coach, noted that he began coaching when he was in his 20s and his oldest child was still a newborn. He mentioned that Bell Memorial Park has a special place in his heart, and not just because it is within sight of his home.

“To walk past this every day,” referring to the Wall of Fame with his name on it, “is an honor.

Rech added, “I love literally everything about coaching and being with kids.”

• JUAN AND KATIE SALAS were the second set of honorees (and first ever husband-wife pair). The family has a long involvement with Hopewell Baseball, including Juan serving as the organization’s president for nearly a decade. He explained how he first ascended to that role (during a time that Bell Memorial Park was being remade), some of the program’s many accomplishments, and his family’s role in his life and Hopewell’s success.

“They mean everything to me, they were the difference, and they really made the program what it is,” Juan said of his three children and wife Katie, who he insisted be on the Wall of Fame plaque with him.

• MAUREEN “MO” WALES earned a place on the Wall of Fame for her decades spent helping special needs individuals experience the joys and benefits of athletics as a Special Olympics champion and Fulton County Schools employee.

Mo called up families she’s worked with to join her during her remarks, saying she has “met some of the most amazing people” and was proud to represent the special needs community. She closed her speech by encouraging businesses to hire people with special needs “because you won’t regret it.”

• DAVID WINSNESS was the final inductee called up, having secured that honor due to his involvement in Eagle Stix, the girls lacrosse program that’s emerged as one of the best in the country with over 100 girls having received scholarships to play at Division I universities.

David humorously recalled coaching his first practice (when he knew little about the sport) on borrowed swaths of grass. One of his main duties as an Eagle Stix leader was partnering with the City to find field space, like what exists now at Bell Memorial Park.

He thanked his family and repeated a mantra he would often use with them to explain why he volunteered so much: “For the citizens!”

To learn more about Milton’s Wall of Fame – including past inductees and how to nominate someone worthy of honoring next year – visit www.miltonga.gov/WallOfFame.