| Hundreds attend Fallen Heroes Memorial dedication |
196th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment SUNBURY, Ohio - A patriotic crowd of hundreds stood behind Ohio’s “Gold Star Families” June 30 as the national anthem played under a baby-blue sky. Many sported red, white and blue bandanas, hats or T-shirts, and some sat on American flag-themed lawn chairs. Signs reading “Defend Our Freedom,” “Support Our Troops,” “Proud to be American,” and “God Bless the U.S.A.” were interspersed throughout the crowd. All were gathered for the Ohio Fallen Heroes Memorial dedication in remembrance of 169 Ohio Soldiers who had died in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Gold Star Families—those of Soldiers killed or missing in action—received special invitations to both the ceremony and a catered dinner that followed. Some family members took the opportunity to share their experiences with one another and socialize with political and military dignitaries, such as U.S. Rep. Patrick Tiberi of Columbus’ 12th district, state Rep. Jon Peterson of Delaware, Ohio, and Maj. Gen. Gregory L. Wayt, Ohio adjutant general. “This generation has been called upon to protect the liberties and the freedoms that we enjoy in this country,” Peterson said. “They have responded willingly and honorably. These patriots have become part of a list of honored American citizens which are printed on the pages of our nation’s history.” A solemn temper overcame the crowd, many visibly weeping, as Mark McVicker, father of deceased Marine Lance Cpl. Daniel M. McVicker, spoke at the podium. Daniel McVicker died Oct. 6, 2005, from an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces near Al Qaim, Iraq. “Back there in the ninth row (of white-stone memorial crosses),” McVicker said, “that’s the only ground my son’s ever going to own, but it’s in Sunbury... the heart of Ohio. Thank you all.” The land for the memorial was provided by the village of Sunbury. The Ohio Fallen Heroes Memorial, at an estimated cost of $450,000, has been constructed, funded and maintained by volunteers and donors. A courtyard showcases the service flags of each military branch, a POW/MIA flag, a bronze silhouette of the M-16 with helmet and boots and an eternal flame that was lit before the crowd during the ceremony. A chapel and a brick walkway were also recently constructed. The Ohio Fallen Heroes Memorial, Inc., a non-profit corporation, has plans for an Ohio Fallen Heroes Memorial Scholarship Fund for the children of the fallen troops. Those wishing to donate or volunteer are encouraged to visit www.ohiofallenheroes.org. “The important work of defending freedom is not without a tremendous cost,” Tiberi said. “These Soldiers volunteer to put themselves in harm’s way to protect us. We owe them our respect. We owe them our gratitude for their sacrifice.”
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