VAN WERT, OH (WLIO) - Van Wert County has created memorials to honor those who not only served in the military but also those who protect and serve residents every day.
After nearly two years of planning and construction, the American Legion Post 178 unveiled the new monuments in Memorial Park.
After nearly two years of planning and construction, the American Legion Post 178 unveiled the new monuments in Memorial Park. They already had one that honored those veterans who served in Vietnam, but they wanted to add monuments for those men and women who served in the wars in the Persian Gulf and Afghanistan to honor their service and have a place for them to reflect when they are struggling with issues like PTSD.
Monuments were also built for Van Wert County first responders.
“The idea originally came because there was not that place where they could go and see their work,” says Ken Myers, co-chair of the Memorial Park Committee.
They also built monuments for Van Wert County first responders. The county fire departments, law enforcement, corrections officers, and 9-1-1 operators now have a place to thank them for their service to the community.
“This is something that we talked about, and we said, can we really do it? Can we really do this? And we said, Yeah, we got to. My whole family is somehow involved in one of these things. My grandson is a firefighter, my daughter is an EMT, and my wife is on the CERT team here in Ohio,” says Randy Matthews, Post Commander American Legion 178.
They wanted to add monuments for those men and women who served in the wars in the Persian Gulf and Afghanistan to honor their service.
The final monument was dedicated to all men and women who chose to serve, in wartime, peacetime, or as a first responder.
“There is that 1% that serve. Whether that is in law enforcement, fire, or the military. But they are not forgotten; there is a place for them,” adds Myers.
Now Memorial Park has a place to remember the sacrifices that men and women make and have made for others every day.
Now Memorial Park has a place to remember the sacrifices that men and women make and have made for others every day.
"Veterans Day is the day that we honor all of those who gave their lives to be here so we can have the freedoms that we have today. If it wasn’t for those who gone before us, none of us would be here,” adds Matthews.
If you would like to visit the monuments, Memorial Park is located at 611 W Main Street, Van Wert, OH 45891.
