thedrifter
09-14-08, 07:46 AM
September 14, 2008
Long-awaited veterans memorial finally a reality in Plymouth
By LOU WHITMIRE
News Journal
PLYMOUTH -- The idea for a Veterans Memorial Park in the village was born in 1991.
Operation Desert Storm was raging in the Middle East and several local families had someone serving in the conflict. A memorial park seemed appropriate.
Korean War veteran Robert Reed, of Plymouth, and four other local veterans made it happen.
Reed's son, Richard Todd, of Shiloh, was a member of the U.S. Army serving in Desert Storm. A second son, Rodney Reed, 38, is a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, stationed on the border of Kuwait and Iraq.
The newly completed Veterans Memorial Park will be dedicated Saturday at 11 a.m. The park includes a monument, plaques honoring veterans of all wars and 304 bricks with the names of veterans and current military members.
Richard Todd Reed, of Shiloh, will lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
"There's room for 1,500 (bricks)," said Robert Reed, a veteran of the U.S. Army and Marines.
The bulk of the work was completed this year. Veterans Robert Reed, Wally Redden, John Hedeen, Joe Runkle and Pete Hayes volunteered to lay the bricks.
"Personally, the more I worked on it, the more proud I was," said Runkle, a U.S. Army veteran.
Redden, an electrician, installed the spotlights that illuminate the monument and flag. Reed said village employees helped prepare the site and haul materials.
The project received a boost with a $7,000 donation from the Eleanor Searle Whitney McCollum Foundation. The sale of memorial bricks and donations of time and money finally made the project possible, organizers said.
Eleanor Searle was the daughter of the village doctor and spent her early years in Plymouth. She went on to become a noted opera singer, but never forgot her roots. During her later years, she visited Plymouth frequently. She also donated funds to refurbish Plymouth First Lutheran Church and was involved in expanding the Plymouth Historical Society building.
Searle's generosity helped to expand the Willard Hospital emergency facilities, which are named after her. After her death, the trust was formed to help causes in Plymouth.
Anyone may buy a memorial brick for $35 and have it inscribed with the names of veterans and relevant military information. Application forms can be picked up at the park.
The park is in a tree-lined alcove near the village office on the square. The Ladies Auxiliary of the Plymouth American Legion No. 447 planted flowers in the park's red, white and blue boxes.
"Thanks to the efforts of a few dedicated people, the efforts of many veterans will not be forgotten," Reed said, pointing to stones depicting the official seal for each branch of the service. "I want to thank all veterans for their service."
Larry Moore, of the Richland County Veterans Service Commission, and Richard Carlisle, veterans service officer for Huron County, will speak at the dedication.
Afterward, a reception and luncheon is scheduled at the Heritage Center meeting room on the square. The museum will be open for tours.
News Journal stringer Scottie Smith also contributed to this story.
Ellie
Long-awaited veterans memorial finally a reality in Plymouth
By LOU WHITMIRE
News Journal
PLYMOUTH -- The idea for a Veterans Memorial Park in the village was born in 1991.
Operation Desert Storm was raging in the Middle East and several local families had someone serving in the conflict. A memorial park seemed appropriate.
Korean War veteran Robert Reed, of Plymouth, and four other local veterans made it happen.
Reed's son, Richard Todd, of Shiloh, was a member of the U.S. Army serving in Desert Storm. A second son, Rodney Reed, 38, is a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, stationed on the border of Kuwait and Iraq.
The newly completed Veterans Memorial Park will be dedicated Saturday at 11 a.m. The park includes a monument, plaques honoring veterans of all wars and 304 bricks with the names of veterans and current military members.
Richard Todd Reed, of Shiloh, will lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
"There's room for 1,500 (bricks)," said Robert Reed, a veteran of the U.S. Army and Marines.
The bulk of the work was completed this year. Veterans Robert Reed, Wally Redden, John Hedeen, Joe Runkle and Pete Hayes volunteered to lay the bricks.
"Personally, the more I worked on it, the more proud I was," said Runkle, a U.S. Army veteran.
Redden, an electrician, installed the spotlights that illuminate the monument and flag. Reed said village employees helped prepare the site and haul materials.
The project received a boost with a $7,000 donation from the Eleanor Searle Whitney McCollum Foundation. The sale of memorial bricks and donations of time and money finally made the project possible, organizers said.
Eleanor Searle was the daughter of the village doctor and spent her early years in Plymouth. She went on to become a noted opera singer, but never forgot her roots. During her later years, she visited Plymouth frequently. She also donated funds to refurbish Plymouth First Lutheran Church and was involved in expanding the Plymouth Historical Society building.
Searle's generosity helped to expand the Willard Hospital emergency facilities, which are named after her. After her death, the trust was formed to help causes in Plymouth.
Anyone may buy a memorial brick for $35 and have it inscribed with the names of veterans and relevant military information. Application forms can be picked up at the park.
The park is in a tree-lined alcove near the village office on the square. The Ladies Auxiliary of the Plymouth American Legion No. 447 planted flowers in the park's red, white and blue boxes.
"Thanks to the efforts of a few dedicated people, the efforts of many veterans will not be forgotten," Reed said, pointing to stones depicting the official seal for each branch of the service. "I want to thank all veterans for their service."
Larry Moore, of the Richland County Veterans Service Commission, and Richard Carlisle, veterans service officer for Huron County, will speak at the dedication.
Afterward, a reception and luncheon is scheduled at the Heritage Center meeting room on the square. The museum will be open for tours.
News Journal stringer Scottie Smith also contributed to this story.
Ellie