Thursday, November 29th, 2018
Rockford groups raising funds for memorial
By Tom Stankard
Submitted Photo
This artist's rendering depicts the veterans memorial that members of American Legion Post 508 and the bicentennial committee want to construct.
ROCKFORD - Members of American Legion Post 508 and the bicentennial committee are raising funds to construct a veterans memorial to honor those who have served their country.
When designing the memorial, bicentennial coordinators Jeff Long, Reed Shaffer and Mike Schumm envisioned it at Hedge Park next to the Legion hall.
The park is a fitting location with a rich history, Long said. During the War of 1812, Anthony Shane for his service to the country was awarded 312 acres on the south bank of the St. Marys River. This location had served as a Native American camp, a river crossing for U.S. armies, a trading post and a Johnny Appleseed apple orchard. Shane platted the land as Shanesville in 1820. It was renamed Rockford in 1899 by a U.S. postal decree.
Shaffer said many Rockford residents have served their country over the years. In their honor, Legion and bicentennial committee members have designed a memorial with five monuments, one for each branch of the military. Soaring high above will be American, Ohio and Prisoners of War flags.
Shaffer, a veteran himself, said the memorial holds a special place in his heart and serves an important purpose.
"Veterans shouldn't be forgotten, but sometimes they are," he said. "This will be a place for people to remember them and for veterans to honor their comrades."
His family has a strong military history, Schaffer said. His dad served and so did his dad's brother, after whom he's named. His grandfather served in World War I, he added.
Schaffer recalled going to honor the dead at cemeteries and going to the Legion events with his family during his childhood.
All around the nation, "memorials stand to honor those who have served and the battles they fought to protect our nation's freedom," he said. "We need your financial help for this to become a reality in our community."
Donations for the $120,000 memorial can be made to the Leota Braun Foundation with "Post 508 Veterans Memorial" on the memo line.
Shaffer said he hopes to receive enough funding to begin construction in the spring. For more information, call the village office at 419-363-3032.
