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Statue also unveiled as tribute to mothers
By Kathy Antoniotti
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Monday, May 18, 2009
Ohio Vietnam vets have waited a long time to feel the respect and admiration from a grateful nation that other veterans received when they returned from wars.
Jan Odom of Akron, who attended the dedication of the Ohio Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Wall in Clinton on Sunday, said she was trying hard not to be overcome with the emotion she felt as she remembered friends from Kenmore High School who served in Southeast Asia in the 1960s.
''I know I'm going to cry all day,'' Odom predicted. ''I think our veterans deserve all the praise we can give them.''
More than 7,000 people descended on the small southern Summit County village of 1,300 people for the unveiling of the 125-foot black granite wall etched with the names of 3,094 Ohio men and one woman who died while serving in the Vietnam conflict.
The wall and all the memorials at the park were created by Ken Noon of Summit Memorials on West Wilbeth Road in Akron.
Emcee Matt Patrick, morning host at radio station WKDD, said it was a ''long overdue homecoming.''
''Our hearts overflow with respect and gratitude. It's not a day of sadness, by no means. It's a day of celebration,'' Patrick said, his voice filling with emotion.
Luke Patrino of Cuyahoga Falls organized thousands of motorcycle riders in the first Run to the Wall, a motorcycle parade from Heritage Park in Canal Fulton to the memorial on South Cleveland-Massillon Road before the dedication program.
Patrick said Patrino told him the thing that bothered him the most when he returned from Vietnam was that ''I couldn't be proud of my service.''
But Sunday, Patrino shared another memory.
''The worst part was the two-and-a-half-year wait for my two brothers, Vince and Don, to come home,'' he told the crowd.
Also unveiled on Sunday was a tribute to Ohio Gold Star Mothers. The 6-foot-tall granite statue is dedicated to all mothers who have lost children to war. The statue stands on a 3-foot pedestal and weighs 1,600 pounds.
Vera Spring, whose son, Army Sgt. Bruce Wayne Spring of Wadsworth, died in 1970 in Vietnam, unveiled the statue that holds a folded American flag. Spring was assisted by Julia Barkey, whose son, Ohio Army National Guard Sgt. Michael C. Barkey, of Lawrence Township, was killed in Iraq in 2004.
Robert Woods, a Vietnam veteran and state captain of the Ohio Patriot Guard Riders, escorted the women and presented each with a plaque ''on behalf of a grateful America.''
Veterans, from 97-year old Robert Frey of Canal Fulton, who served in World War II, to those who have fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, gathered to reminisce with their comrades.
Skip Haswell, a retired police officer from Beaver Falls, Pa., and vice president of the Vietnam Veterans of America Inc., Pennsylvania State Council, brought 41 people to the ceremony. Haswell said the convoy left home early Sunday, riding the distance to the memorial in 40-degree temperatures.
''We were coming whether it was raining or cold. It didn't matter,'' said the Marine, who served 14 months in Vietnam.
Haswell said he never came across another Marine who was a stranger.
As if to prove the point, Woody Henry of Canton approached Haswell from behind and remarked, ''Marines are no good.''
All he got for his trouble was a hearty laugh from Haswell.
''I say that to all Marines,'' said Henry, who is also a Marine.
''If it was Army, we'd be fighting now,'' he joked.
Patrino told his fellow veterans that the volunteers from Canal Fulton had done their part by raising the $850,000 for the park. But he added: ''It's only half of what we need to finish this beautiful place.
''It's our time. Service organizations, put out a change jar. Motorcycle clubs, have a keg party or a pig roast. Anything to get the job done.''
Plans for the $1.7 million project include building a reflection pool and adding a blue-star mothers statue to honor anyone with a child serving in the Armed Forces.
Donations also are being sought to pave the walkways, which radiate from the wall, with memorial bricks and to add benches around the wall.
Kathy Antoniotti can be reached at 330-996-3565 or kantoniotti@thebeaconjournal.com.
Ohio Vietnam vets have waited a long time to feel the respect and admiration from a grateful nation that other veterans received when they returned from wars.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Posted 08:06 AM, 05/18/2009
Wonderful ceremony
Posted 08:08 AM, 05/18/2009
This is a pleasant change from what the troops had to deal with in the late 60s upon returing from overseas.
Glad to see this memorial so close.
Posted 08:08 AM, 05/18/2009
The article alone was enough to choke me up. The upcoming visit will surely be an emotional one.
Canton, OH
Posted 09:12 AM, 05/18/2009
Nice. .Good article. . Good story. . Long Overdue. . .
Akron, OH
Posted 09:29 AM, 05/18/2009
Lakemore Village Council committed to buy a bench but I guess the grass cutting bid that was $8000 more than they should have paid caused them to renig. What a shame .. maybe Pat Fiocca has something to explain .. "nah, he just babbles on and on and on ....................
Doylestown, Ohio
Posted 10:29 AM, 05/18/2009
This is a beautyful memorial park. My question is: "Why did it take so long to honor the memory of these fallen Ohio men and woman?" I feel they can now rest in peace. God Bless Them All.
Granger Township, Oh
Posted 11:22 AM, 05/18/2009
Their web site link seems to be missing in the article.
Visit http://www.ohiovietnammemorialpark.org.
My Heart Is In K-Town, .
Posted 12:57 PM, 05/18/2009
Just came from a quick visit to this new memorial...pretty impressive.
Akron, OH
Posted 02:22 PM, 05/18/2009
Well said, Walter. Indeed, it's about time!!
Akron, Oh
Posted 07:49 PM, 05/18/2009
I Know As A Vietnam Vet Myself,It Is Nice To See Just Like The Wall In DC But Your Comments Are What Makes Me Proud To Be Home.
Thank You
Bill T
2nd.Bn.12Inf.
25th.Inf Div.
1968-1969
barberton, oh
Posted 08:29 PM, 05/18/2009
visiting this memorial is truly overwhelming. it is past due & so close to all of us. please go visit-i'm sure you will go back as i have. also other war histories on back of the vietnam panels. thanks to those who worked to create this.
Clinton, OH
Posted 08:57 PM, 05/18/2009
I was at the ceremony. This is in my hometown. It was so incredibly emotional & I am so proud to have this here. Please donate so they can continue finishing it if you are able. Made me proud to be an American & I thank all those who protect my family in the military.
