ThisWeek CW 10/9/2014
http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/canalwinchester/news/2014/10/06/november-exhibit-will-honor-local-veterans.html
Organizers of Canal Winchester’s first Veterans Day observance want to go beyond a simple ‘thank you.’
Instead, they hope to recognize all the city’s veterans throughout November by displaying photos and videos of them at the municipal building. Digital images and video of veterans can be emailed to Councilwoman Bobbie Mershon at bmershon@canalwinchesterohio.gov. Actual pictures may be dropped off at the Frances Steube Community Center, 22 S. Trine St., or the municipal building, 36 S. High St., during business hours throughout October.
The photos and videos also will be part of the city’s Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 8.
According to event organizer, Tom Stevenson, the idea originated after he’d attended a few events for soldiers returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan. He said he’d overheard soldiers’ disappointment that, “there once was a time where returning from service was celebrated with parades and congratulations; now soldiers are told, ‘thanks for your service,’ but may no longer have a job waiting for them or even a house to live in.”
“I want all of our veterans to come out and know that this is an event to celebrate them. I want to get the veterans back into Veterans Day,” Stevenson said.
Two of those whose photos will be part of the exhibit are Mershon and Bruce Jarvis, executive director of Destination: Canal Winchester.
Mershon served in the Army Nurse Corps in Vietnam from 1967-70, earning the rank of first lieutenant.
“Many men and women in Canal Winchester have served in the armed forces, and yet on Veterans Day, have gone unrecognized by the community in which they live,” Mershon said. “This year, Canal Winchester starts a new tradition to show these citizens the honor, respect and gratitude they deserve.
“I hope all citizens of Canal Winchester take advantage of this opportunity and join in the festivities.”
Jarvis served in the U.S. Army Military Police Corps in the late 1970s in Germany, earning an SP4 rank.
“I feel this is a humble start to something that we need to cultivate and grow over time,” he said. “Whether one or one’s family member ever served or not, this is the ideal time to come out and stand with others to pause, remember and show gratitude for those that served — especially those that never came back to enjoy what they helped to preserve. It is the least of the right things we can do.”
As part of the Veterans Day observance, the Canal Winchester Senior Citizens’ Club, VFW Post 10523 and the city will host a free pancake breakfast, open to the public, beginning at 8 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 8, at the Frances Steube Community Center.
At 10 a.m., veterans will march from the community center to Stradley Place, where a brief ceremony is planned. Guest speakers will include Canal Winchester Mayor Mayor Michael Ebert; Warren Motts, founder of Motts Military Museum; and Col. James V. Jones, Commander, Rickenbacker Air Force Base. The observance will conclude with a 21-gun salute.
Veterans who are unable to march in the parade can ride in vintage military vehicles provided by Motts Military Museum.
“This event will be the first for the community and hopefully will become an annual event to celebrate our past, present and future veterans,” VFW 10523 Commander J. Rick Williams said.