By Bruce Rolfe
A new Galesburg Wall of Honor, which includes the names of 45 people from Galesburg or who attended Galesburg-Augusta High School and served in the military, was unveiled June 30 in front of an appreciative audience in the middle of the city.
The Galesburg Downtown Development Authority oversaw the project. Galesburg DDA Vice President Kim Enders, president and CEO of the non-profit organization Fallen But Not Forgotten Military, was asked to re-establish the veteran wall.
The DDA decided to remove a previous sign containing names of local people who served in the military, because it was not being maintained and the DDA wanted to change some of the requirements.
Linda Carlton, of the Galesburg DDA, said names that were on the previous wall display were transferred to the new display with new plaques.
She said to be included on the old board a person had to be actively serving in the military. Veterans who previously served are now considered for the Wall of Honor.
Enders said the DDA took applications from Galesburg residents, past and present, with military service, but also replaced the names that were previously on the old board.
“We re-named the wall the Galesburg Wall of Honor. This wall is dedicated to the many men and women from our community who have served our country,” said Enders.
Carlton said it was very satisfying to see the project get off the ground after approximately three months of planning.
“I think it’s great for everybody in town and to be able to have their name up here. The way it started was you had to be in the service, active. Now, we’re honoring everybody that’s in the service,” said Carlton, who said there is room on the wall for 160 names.
Enders read all 45 names that were placed on the Wall of Honor.
A new Galesburg Wall of Honor, which includes the names of 45 people from Galesburg or who attended Galesburg-Augusta High School and served in the military, was unveiled June 30 in front of an appreciative audience in the middle of the city.
The Galesburg Downtown Development Authority oversaw the project. Galesburg DDA Vice President Kim Enders, president and CEO of the non-profit organization Fallen But Not Forgotten Military, was asked to re-establish the veteran wall.
The DDA decided to remove a previous sign containing names of local people who served in the military, because it was not being maintained and the DDA wanted to change some of the requirements.
Linda Carlton, of the Galesburg DDA, said names that were on the previous wall display were transferred to the new display with new plaques.
She said to be included on the old board a person had to be actively serving in the military. Veterans who previously served are now considered for the Wall of Honor.
Enders said the DDA took applications from Galesburg residents, past and present, with military service, but also replaced the names that were previously on the old board.
“We re-named the wall the Galesburg Wall of Honor. This wall is dedicated to the many men and women from our community who have served our country,” said Enders.
Carlton said it was very satisfying to see the project get off the ground after approximately three months of planning.
“I think it’s great for everybody in town and to be able to have their name up here. The way it started was you had to be in the service, active. Now, we’re honoring everybody that’s in the service,” said Carlton, who said there is room on the wall for 160 names.
Enders read all 45 names that were placed on the Wall of Honor.
Galesburg DDA vice president Kim Enders, president and CEO of the non-profit organization Fallen But Not Forgotten Military, is pictured talking about the new Galesburg Wall of Honor that was unveiled June 30.
The event was especially moving and important for visitors who served in the military, had their name, or the name of a family member who served in the military, on the Wall of Honor.
Kim Negri, who said hearing the name of a family member Richard Banks, who served in the Army and was killed in Vietnam, and her father, Robert L. Beck, who served in the U.S. Air Force, meant a lot.
“I came down here and saw nobody I knew on the wall. I was in the National Guard. I was in the military for 40 years. I didn’t see my dad’s name, I didn’t see my brother’s. When Kim started this project, I had to get involved,” said Negri, who served during Operation Enduring Freedom, and served in the military 20 years followed by another 20 years working at the VA.
The new Wall of Honor will continue to grow and include names of people who have either lived or live in Galesburg, or attended Galesburg-Augusta High School and have served in the military.
Wayne Patterson made the sign on top of the Wall of Honor.
Volunteers John Enders and Art Green, both veterans, made the soldier crosses and the sign the name plaques are attached to.
“We’re just honoring vets. Both past and former,” said Enders when asked what it means to have the new Wall of Honor unveiled.
“It’s quite an honor to have my name up there,” adds Green, who served in the Air National Guard and said he was very happy there is a permanent display in the middle of the City for residents and visitors to learn about local veterans who have served in the military.
Daniel L. Hough Jr., who served in the Navy four years and six years in active Reserves, was pleased to see the names of relatives and friends he knew.
“Duane Irving, he quit school and joined the Navy and served as a signal man. Jim Harley, graduated from Galesburg in 1947 and went directly into the Navy. He was on an aircraft carrier. They turned it into an auxiliarly carrier. ... Theron Clarence Rayman was a mechanic in Japan during the Korean War working on B-25s and B-26s,” said Hough, who said he went on the Flight of Honor in May.
The Galesburg DDA will continue to take applications and add name plates. Applications can be picked up and dropped off at the Galesburg City Hall. There is a $15 charge to cover the cost of the plaque.
New names will be unveiled in groups.
The first set of names on the Wall of Honor recognized June 30 include:
Steven C. Pearse, E-4, United States Navy; Kaleigh (Dowd) Morgan, SSgt., United States Air Force; Chase (Uncle) Morgan, TSgt., United States Air Force; Fred M. Roof III (Spec. E-4) United States Army; Ronald M. Adams, Sgt. E5, United States Army; Richard S. Banks, PFC, United States Army; Edward Andrew Diamond, Airman PC, United States Air Force; Theron Clarence Rayman, SSgt., United States Air Force; Daniel L. Hough, Sr., PO 1, United States Navy; Duane Irving, SN 1, United States Navy; Donald D. Doorlag, Sr.A, United States Air Force; Pamela Terry, SSG, United States Army; Timothy A. Bush, E-4, Army National Guard; Samantha Troino, AC 2, United States Navy; Jon Jefferson, Cpl., United States Marine Corps.; Cale Beaver, LCpl, United States Marine Corp.; Tina Kay Gowers, SSG, United States Army; Richard L. Dorner, SSgt., United States Marine Corp.; Donald L. Cook, Sp5, United States Army; Jerry G. Oviatt, Sgt., United States Air Force; James Harley, SN1, United States Navy; Robert Jon Phelps, Cpl., United States Marine Corp.; Scott LaChance, Sgt., Air National Guard; Robert L. Beck I, E-6, United States Air Force; Marty Ellen Lemon, LTJG, United States Navy; Randy J. Kay, LCpl., United States Marine Corp.; Jim Nicolow, Sp5, United States Army; Jim Chapin, Jr., Col, Army National Guard; Tyler R. Piper, Maj., Army National Guard; Kevin Holzinger, CPO, United States Navy; Jessica Dolph, SFC, Army National Guard; Lisa Marie Phelps, PFC, United States Army; Kevin Roe, Cpl., United States Marine Corp.; John H. Longfield, PFC, United States Army; William J. Carlton, A3C, United States Air Force; Arthur J. Green, E 2, Air National Guard; James T. Zuidema, Spec. E4, United States Army; Cole T. Zuidema, Spec. E4, United States Army; Norman G. Knapper, Cpl., United States Marine Corp; Terry Lee McMeekan, Sgt., United States Marine Corp; Harold Jacob Echtinaw, Jr., SSG, United States Army; Terry Lee Echtinaw, ADJ, United States Navy; Melissa J. Phillips (Misti), Cpl., United States Army; Jack L. Ambs, Cpl., United States Army.
––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
https://www.legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available
