County dedicates Veterans Memorial WATCH THE VIDEO

By BRANDY CHANDLER
and RORY RYAN
The Highland County Press

"We hallow this ground and dedicate these monuments."

"We are standing on hallowed ground," U.S. Army Major (ret.) Mac McCray told the hundreds-strong Memorial Day gathering outside the Highland County Veterans Memorial. "This is a repository of forgotten dreams."

"Memorial Day services are about wars. They're about blood, sweat and tears. They are about being away from your family. They are about sacrifices by our service men and women and their families," Major McCray said.

With Hillsboro VFW Post 9094 Commander Rick Wilkin serving as master of ceremonies, the Memorial Day observance included: guest speakers Major McCray; retired Master Sgt. (U.S. Army National Guard) Timothy Espich, who is the interim director of the Ohio Department of Veterans Services; Highland County Commissioner Tom Horst; Pastor Jim Cook; Hillsboro Mayor Drew Hastings; and Daughters of the American Revolution Regent Pat Young. In addition, patriotic music was provided by the Hillsboro High School band under the direction of Kevin Groh; Alberta Duncan; Jimmy Evans; and Major McCray himself, who offered an a cappella rendition of the Gene Autry classic "Old Soldiers Never Die, They Just Fade Away."

Wilkin began the mid-morning ceremony by explaining how the Veterans Memorial came about.

"Tom Horst came up to me one day and asked me to look at a model (of the proposed memorial)," Wilkin said. "Tom told me, 'If you can get some interest in it, commissioners will donate the property.'"

The VFW Post 9094 members started the fund-raising efforts with an initial pledge of $15,000. The fund has reached $100,000. Post members Tim Leibreich, Bob Curtis, Denver Conley, Gary Conley, George Stewart, David Pinney and Mac and Vanessa McCray began the organizational efforts needed to raise the money.

The memorial currently features more than 1,000 bricks with the names of veterans with connections to the Highland County area. Bricks are still available at $50 apiece. In order to purchase a brick, contact the VFW Post at 393-0211.

Wilkin thanked numerous veterans organizations and local businesses for contributing everything from excavating to building materials to flags and flagpoles.

Prior to reading a Memorial Day proclamation from the board of commissioners, Horst talked about the concept behind the new memorial, which is located at the southwest corner of the Highland County Courthouse lawn, at the corner of West Main Street and Governor Foraker Place.

Commissioner Horst said he first envisioned the Veterans Memorial during Memorial Day services in 2009.

"I thought we needed to do more than just place a wreath on Memorial Day," Horst explained. "I took a concept drawing to our county maintenance man, Tom Perrin, and then to Harsha Monuments. The first thing Deb Harsha told me was, 'Tom, you can't afford it.'"

After a few revisions, the memorial concept began to take hold – even more so after so many local contractors and businesses donated to the noble cause.

"This monument will never be finished," Horst said. "Bricks can always be purchased from this day forward. "It makes me proud to live in a community where people come forward – without being asked – and say, 'What can I do?'

"This memorial is a tribute to the efforts of so many."

In his dedication speech, Major McCray, 89, referenced President John F. Kennedy's inaugural address, "Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country."

"So I said to myself, 'McCray, you're going to help build a monument.'"

Like Wilkin, McCray thanked the many contributors to the memorial, including the VFW, Disabled American Veterans, the Highland County Honor Guard, the mayor of Hillsboro and local businesses.

"I've been around the world about 14 times," the major said. "People in Ohio are the most patriotic people I've ever seen in my life. I say that with all sincerity."

Major McCray received a warm ovation from those in attendance.

Director Espich offered reflection on the sacrifices by members of the U.S. Armed Forces as well as the sacrifices made by their respective families.

"It's impossible to understand the sacrifices of the many who have served, when it's impossible to understand the sacrifices of one individual who has served," Espich said.

"The loss of a husband, a wife, a son, a daughter, a brother, a sister. How do you measure that?" Espich asked, who also mentioned Private First Class Zachary Gullett. PFC Gullett, of Hillsboro, died May 1, 2007 while stationed in Ad Diwaniyah, Iraq while serving with C Company 787 Military Police Battalion. He is the son of Mike and Connie (Helterbrand) Gullett.

Espich called the Veterans Memorial "a beautiful reminder of the sacrifices our soldiers have made for this nation. Every day should be Memorial Day."