thedrifter
06-25-07, 06:37 AM
Posted on Mon, Jun. 25, 2007
Memorial to salute war dead
Shrine to open Saturday to honor Ohioans killed in Iraq and Afghanistan
By Jim Carney
Beacon Journal staff writer
SUNBURY - A field of heroes on a small patch of grass is a grim reminder of the sacrifice made by Ohioans in the war on terror.
On a 1.7-acre plot along state Route 37 a few miles east of Interstate 71, 157 white marble markers stand in honor of all Ohioans who have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
It is called the Ohio Fallen Heroes Memorial and it will be formally opened in ceremonies at 4 p.m. Saturday.
``It's a place where people can come and think of their loved ones,'' said Jerry Jodrey, a retired U.S. Army master sergeant and Vietnam veteran who is president of the nonprofit organization that created the memorial.
The 61-year-old retired Franklin County sheriff's deputy began planning the memorial two years ago and construction started in 2006. His grandson, Spc. James Jodrey II, an Army reservist from Delaware, completed a yearlong tour in Iraq last fall.
``I feel this is something I can do for those who never came back,'' Jodrey said.
About $150,000 to $200,000 of the $450,000 cost of the memorial has already been raised, all through private donations.
Last week, more markers were installed at the memorial, including markers for Cuyahoga Falls native Marine Sgt. Justin T. Walsh and Canton native Marine Pvt. Heath D. Warner, both of whom were killed in Iraq in 2006.
The markers are installed in chronological order, with the first killed in the row closest to the road.
Jodrey said a dozen more markers have been ordered because the total as of last week had reached 169.
Markers for the latest soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen -- including Green resident Air Force Staff Sgt. Matthew Joseph Kuglics, Army Sgt. Cory Endlich, of Massillon and Army Spc. Zachary Grass of Sugar Creek Township -- will be installed in the next few months, Jodrey said.
Each one costs $450, and it takes about three months for delivery.
The memorial includes a chapel, an eternal flame and a statue of a soldier's boots and rifle and helmet equipped with night vision goggles.
``These soldiers today are really unique in many ways,'' Jodrey said.
``They believe in the American way and the American way of life.''
He said the memorial ``is the least we could do for these soldiers who perished since 9/11, to honor them in our field of honor.''
Mantua Township resident Jim Walsh, father of Marine Sgt. Justin Walsh, praised the work of the volunteers and leaders of the Ohio Fallen Heroes Memorial.
``I think it's great what they did,'' he said.
Carmine Menduni, president of Columbus Art Memorial Co., said, ``This is the first time a memorial like this has ever been done before a war is over.''
Menduni's company has ordered, assembled, engraved and installed the markers, installed the eternal flame and has done other work at the memorial.
While there is enough room at the site for scores more markers, Jodrey said the hope is ``there is never another one.''
Ohio Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 2 Christopher Swihart, 42, of Sunbury, a member of the board of trustees of the memorial organization, knows several of the people who are represented in the field of heroes.
Swihart has spent two years in Iraq with different Guard units.
``It's pretty impressive,'' he said.
Seeing the markers in one spot makes an impression.
``Most of the time, unless it hits that town,'' most people don't realize how many Ohioans have been killed, he said.
Along with seeking donations to pay for the memorial, the group is also seeking donations to pay for college scholarships for nearly 75 children who have lost a parent in the war, Jodrey said.
For information, go to www.ohiofallenheroes.org, call Jodrey at 614-563-7581 or send e-mail to jjodrey1234@aol.com.
To donate, send checks to the Ohio Fallen Heroes Memorial at Box 92, Sunbury, OH 43074.
Jim Carney can be reached at 330-996-3576 or jcarney@thebeaconjournal.com.
Ellie
Memorial to salute war dead
Shrine to open Saturday to honor Ohioans killed in Iraq and Afghanistan
By Jim Carney
Beacon Journal staff writer
SUNBURY - A field of heroes on a small patch of grass is a grim reminder of the sacrifice made by Ohioans in the war on terror.
On a 1.7-acre plot along state Route 37 a few miles east of Interstate 71, 157 white marble markers stand in honor of all Ohioans who have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
It is called the Ohio Fallen Heroes Memorial and it will be formally opened in ceremonies at 4 p.m. Saturday.
``It's a place where people can come and think of their loved ones,'' said Jerry Jodrey, a retired U.S. Army master sergeant and Vietnam veteran who is president of the nonprofit organization that created the memorial.
The 61-year-old retired Franklin County sheriff's deputy began planning the memorial two years ago and construction started in 2006. His grandson, Spc. James Jodrey II, an Army reservist from Delaware, completed a yearlong tour in Iraq last fall.
``I feel this is something I can do for those who never came back,'' Jodrey said.
About $150,000 to $200,000 of the $450,000 cost of the memorial has already been raised, all through private donations.
Last week, more markers were installed at the memorial, including markers for Cuyahoga Falls native Marine Sgt. Justin T. Walsh and Canton native Marine Pvt. Heath D. Warner, both of whom were killed in Iraq in 2006.
The markers are installed in chronological order, with the first killed in the row closest to the road.
Jodrey said a dozen more markers have been ordered because the total as of last week had reached 169.
Markers for the latest soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen -- including Green resident Air Force Staff Sgt. Matthew Joseph Kuglics, Army Sgt. Cory Endlich, of Massillon and Army Spc. Zachary Grass of Sugar Creek Township -- will be installed in the next few months, Jodrey said.
Each one costs $450, and it takes about three months for delivery.
The memorial includes a chapel, an eternal flame and a statue of a soldier's boots and rifle and helmet equipped with night vision goggles.
``These soldiers today are really unique in many ways,'' Jodrey said.
``They believe in the American way and the American way of life.''
He said the memorial ``is the least we could do for these soldiers who perished since 9/11, to honor them in our field of honor.''
Mantua Township resident Jim Walsh, father of Marine Sgt. Justin Walsh, praised the work of the volunteers and leaders of the Ohio Fallen Heroes Memorial.
``I think it's great what they did,'' he said.
Carmine Menduni, president of Columbus Art Memorial Co., said, ``This is the first time a memorial like this has ever been done before a war is over.''
Menduni's company has ordered, assembled, engraved and installed the markers, installed the eternal flame and has done other work at the memorial.
While there is enough room at the site for scores more markers, Jodrey said the hope is ``there is never another one.''
Ohio Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 2 Christopher Swihart, 42, of Sunbury, a member of the board of trustees of the memorial organization, knows several of the people who are represented in the field of heroes.
Swihart has spent two years in Iraq with different Guard units.
``It's pretty impressive,'' he said.
Seeing the markers in one spot makes an impression.
``Most of the time, unless it hits that town,'' most people don't realize how many Ohioans have been killed, he said.
Along with seeking donations to pay for the memorial, the group is also seeking donations to pay for college scholarships for nearly 75 children who have lost a parent in the war, Jodrey said.
For information, go to www.ohiofallenheroes.org, call Jodrey at 614-563-7581 or send e-mail to jjodrey1234@aol.com.
To donate, send checks to the Ohio Fallen Heroes Memorial at Box 92, Sunbury, OH 43074.
Jim Carney can be reached at 330-996-3576 or jcarney@thebeaconjournal.com.
Ellie