Denise Cooper, Secretary of the Board of the Klipsch Heritage Museum Association, acted as host for the ceremony.  She welcomed those who came out on a cloudy early March afternoon and spoke about Klipsch's contribution to the history of high fidelity and the region's economic growth. 

"He would be 122 on March 9th. He was born in 1904 so Happy Birthday, Mr. Klipsch. We appreciate you and all of your engineering accomplishments. We are also celebrating 80 years since Paul W. Klipsch introduced the Klipsch Horn still proudly made in Hope, Arkansas today."

Cooper explained that 80 years ago at what was then the Southwest Proving Grounds the new speaker design got its public debut.

"During the Southwest Proving Ground World War victory tour dance at the Hope Airport, he introduced it to the world, and it soon became commercially available after that. So it's been in production since 1946."

KHMA Curator Jim Hunter got the honor of placing the wreath at the above-ground resting place.  Then a beautiful rendition of Taps emanated from about 30 yards west, played by Lieutenant Michael Braddock from the Hempstead County Sheriff's Department.  Standing near the vault were three members of the Hope High color guard displaying the Arkansas, U.S. and POW remembrance flags.

Mayor Don Still arrived to read a proclamation of Paul W. Klipsch Day March 6th but also provided a bit of information about his own family's tie to the Klipsch story. 

"The little tin shed [in which Klipsch began his company] was actually my dad's.  He rented it to Mr. Klipsch right when he got out of the war.  It was on our property, behind the shop."

The Klipsch Birthday Bash will include many activities Friday and Saturday. 

Above photo:  Klipsch Museum Association Board Secretary speaks to those gathered at Rose Hill Cemetery for the laying of a wreath at Paul W. Klipsch's resting place in Rose Hill Cemetery Friday afternoon.

 Above photo:  Mayor Don Still proclaims Friday to be Paul W. Klipsch Day in Hope, Arkansas.