Gold Star Families Memorial dedicated
Monument located at York Township Park
Hershel “Woody” Williams cut the ribbon for the Gold Star Families Memorial Nov. 12. Photo by ALLISON WOOD
YORK TOWNSHIP – A week prior to the dedication of the Gold Star Families Memorial at York Township Park, the large black stone centering the memorial was the only thing constructed. However, workers and volunteers managed to install the bricks, benches and landscaping in time for the Nov. 12 ceremony.
The memorial, which can be seen off of Columbia Road just north of state Route 18, is in honor of families who have lost loved ones in service. This, and other monuments nationwide, are efforts from the Hershel “Woody” Williams Foundation, whose foundation has worked with local volunteers to construct monuments nationwide.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held Memorial Day weekend, but a larger crowd was on hand for the dedication, which also included the Buckeye High School band, which for the second time at the same site played “Armed Forces Medley” for the dignitaries, which also again included Woody Williams. State Rep. Steve Hambley served as master of ceremonies.
In Medina, Mickey Kennedy worked to raise funds and find others interested in helping with the effort. He said the effort was not easy, from finding an appropriate site, to raising funds to making the site look presentable for the ceremony, but is glad he took on the challenge.
Williams himself also spoke, which he also did at the dedication. A man in his 90s, he is a World War II Medal of Honor recipient honored for his efforts at Iwo Jima.
“This I believe is the real America,” he said. “This is what it’s all about ... to come together in love and respect to honor and pay tribute to those who made it possible for us to be here ... You being here signifies America in her truest sense.”
Williams said while there are organizations for mothers who children died in service, there is less recognition for fathers and families, and he hopes these memorials help bridge that gap because “they cry too.” After he helped build a memorial in his native West Virginia, people in other states became interested in building one in their hometown.
“The monument will be a source of comfort and peace,” Williams said. “I want it to be a place to remember and meditate.”
York Township Trustee Bill Pavlick said the foundation is looking to raise more funds, approximately $18,000, to construct monuments honoring the five branches of the armed services. Those who wish to donate or purchase bricks in honor of a veteran at the memorial may also continue to do so and get find more information at http://hwwmohfoundation.org/medina.html.
After the speeches, a bagpiper led the a procession down the park path to the memorial, where Williams officially cut the ribbon.
Also in attendance were war veterans and Gold Star Families, including the family of Air Force Capt. Jacob Ian McDermott, 35, a 1994 Medina High School graduate who died in 2012. He served first in the Marines, then the Ohio National Guard and finally in the Air Force in Iraq. A bench with is name and photo on it is part of the memorial.
“I did this just as a tribute to him,” said wife Heather McDermott. “He gave a lot of years.”
Richard Vosburgh, 95, a World War II veteran from Creston who served in Guadalcanal, also attended the event after granddaughter Jen Formhals saw the memorial while driving in the area earlier that week.
He said he was glad his granddaughter was able to take him and that he enjoyed the ceremony. He received a standing ovation during the ceremony after being introduced.
The memorial, which can be seen off of Columbia Road just north of state Route 18, is in honor of families who have lost loved ones in service. This, and other monuments nationwide, are efforts from the Hershel “Woody” Williams Foundation, whose foundation has worked with local volunteers to construct monuments nationwide.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held Memorial Day weekend, but a larger crowd was on hand for the dedication, which also included the Buckeye High School band, which for the second time at the same site played “Armed Forces Medley” for the dignitaries, which also again included Woody Williams. State Rep. Steve Hambley served as master of ceremonies.
In Medina, Mickey Kennedy worked to raise funds and find others interested in helping with the effort. He said the effort was not easy, from finding an appropriate site, to raising funds to making the site look presentable for the ceremony, but is glad he took on the challenge.
Williams himself also spoke, which he also did at the dedication. A man in his 90s, he is a World War II Medal of Honor recipient honored for his efforts at Iwo Jima.
“This I believe is the real America,” he said. “This is what it’s all about ... to come together in love and respect to honor and pay tribute to those who made it possible for us to be here ... You being here signifies America in her truest sense.”
Williams said while there are organizations for mothers who children died in service, there is less recognition for fathers and families, and he hopes these memorials help bridge that gap because “they cry too.” After he helped build a memorial in his native West Virginia, people in other states became interested in building one in their hometown.
“The monument will be a source of comfort and peace,” Williams said. “I want it to be a place to remember and meditate.”
York Township Trustee Bill Pavlick said the foundation is looking to raise more funds, approximately $18,000, to construct monuments honoring the five branches of the armed services. Those who wish to donate or purchase bricks in honor of a veteran at the memorial may also continue to do so and get find more information at http://hwwmohfoundation.org/medina.html.
After the speeches, a bagpiper led the a procession down the park path to the memorial, where Williams officially cut the ribbon.
Also in attendance were war veterans and Gold Star Families, including the family of Air Force Capt. Jacob Ian McDermott, 35, a 1994 Medina High School graduate who died in 2012. He served first in the Marines, then the Ohio National Guard and finally in the Air Force in Iraq. A bench with is name and photo on it is part of the memorial.
“I did this just as a tribute to him,” said wife Heather McDermott. “He gave a lot of years.”
Richard Vosburgh, 95, a World War II veteran from Creston who served in Guadalcanal, also attended the event after granddaughter Jen Formhals saw the memorial while driving in the area earlier that week.
He said he was glad his granddaughter was able to take him and that he enjoyed the ceremony. He received a standing ovation during the ceremony after being introduced.