Honoring our heroes

“War is not ever going to stop. It’s hard for me to even look into the future anymore,” State Captain of Indiana Patriot Guard Riders, Bob Patterson, said. “Especially at night, you’ll see somebody pulling in, getting out of their cars, folding chairs, and going sit by their buddies on the wall, and cry for them.”

On May 23, Wayne County Veterans Memorial Park hosted the American Veteran Traveling Tribute & The Traveling Wall event. The escort departed from Motel 6 in Richmond at 4 p.m. and headed west on US 40 to North A Street before arriving at the park.

The wall has names of U.S. personnel killed in the Vietnam War, and the tribute sections have the names of those killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, Desert Storm, World War Ⅰ and Ⅱ, the Korean War and other conflicts. The wall includes the names of over 40 people from Wayne County, and is the 5th Vietnam memorial wall to be displayed at the park.

“It’s not for the recognition. It’s the fact that we feel that they deserve this. It’s not for us, it’s for them and their families,” William Brown, a veteran who served in the Afghanistan and Iraq from 2008 to 2014, said.

“For younger generations, having something to physically touch and see has a big impact,” volunteer Adam Cecys said. “They are forever remembered as names on the wall. That’s what we do for this weekend, we want to remember that, and we want people to see, touch, and feel they’re legit names and people.”

Those who would like to support Wayne County Veterans Memorial Park can send donations to PO. Box 2401, Richmond, Indiana, 47375. Call 765-967-0330 for more information.

Cambridge City and Dublin

Cambridge City American Legion Post 169 observed Memorial Day by conducting brief programs in honor of military service members buried in eight cemeteries in the western Wayne County area.

They started the day with a brief address and prayer, followed by a 21-gun salute by the Legion honor guard and the playing of Taps at South Lawn Cemetery in Dublin.