MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY DEDICATES RESTORED LOVELAND WWII HONOR ROLL

Emotions ran high as community rededicated restored remembrance of WWII Honor Roll

By Chuck Gibson

LOVELAND, OH (June 1, 2020)  – On the solemn occasion of remembering all of the fallen soldiers who fought in wars past and present to preserve our freedom, the community of Loveland took time out for a special dedication ceremony of the restored Loveland WWII Honor Roll Monument on the grounds of the Loveland Museum Center (LMC).

Hundreds of citizens gathered around the restored WWII monument under a blue sky and bright sunshine as LMC President, Jim Grethel offered opening remarks greeting visitors and sharing the story of finding the historic WWII Honor Roll Monument and restoring it to once again honor citizens of Loveland who served in the U.S. Military during World War II. People listened closely as Grethel shared the story of how Mike Books, LSFD found the monument during an estate sale in November 2018 and ultimately identified it as the original Honor Roll monument.

“It was being used as a storage shed,” said Books. “I was going to purchase it to use as a changing house for the swimming pool. We found the top with the military emblems and we knew what it was.”

Grethel told the story of how Chris Moore donated it to the museum center on behalf of the Kenneth Joseph Moore Estate. Some details of the history of the WWII Honor Roll remain sketchy, but the 650 names now gracing the eight octagonal sides of the monument brought back clear memories for many attending the dedication Memorial Day, Monday, May 31, 2021. Grethel handed over the podium to current Loveland Mayor, Kathy Bailey, to say a few words just as the Mayor of Loveland had done all those years ago during WWII in dedicating the Honor Roll to recognize the men and women of Loveland proudly serving our country then.

“It is an iconic piece of Loveland’s history,” said Bailey. “It captures a moment in time. We don’t do this now when people are serving overseas. We don’t run down to the town square to see who’s serving. This really was a unique time in our history.”

In her remarks, Mayor Bailey remembered all who did not come back, but acknowledged the many who did come back including her own father. She offered praise to all parties involved in assisting the Loveland Museum Center dedicated effort with “the beautiful” restoration of the historic monument 

“I think it exemplifies who and what we are,” Bailey said. “I am really thrilled they were able to save this and bring it back.”

Among the distinguished guests attending the ceremonial dedication was Brad Wenstrup, Congressman, U.S. House of Representatives – Ohio 2nd District. Mayor Bailey recognized U.S. Rep. Wenstrup at the close of her remarks and invited him to say a few words. As a veteran U.S. Army Reserve officer, Wenstrup was dressed in full uniform as he stepped to the podium and addressed the crowd. He too recognized those fallen soldiers of all wars who fought to preserve the freedoms we enjoy in “this great nation” today. He was happy to be in attendance.

“It was a great honor,” said Wenstrup. “It was very well organized, a great memorial over there. This is the icing on the cake; this World War II memorial.”

Wenstrup spoke from the heart having been called upon to say a few words somewhat by surprise. He called his own words “off the cuff” but he chose them well.

“Not only in military, but often the good works people do are forgotten very quickly,” Wenstrup said. “These are great works that came with the giving of your life. It’s a shame when some of that is forgotten. It is important to remember we are not free for no reason. People have wanted to take our freedom time and time again, they always will, it’s like a never-ending thing. Generation after generation has found a way to say no. We are the longest standing democracy the world has ever seen. Think about that. It’s because of people like that.”

Following Representative Wenstrup’s touching remarks, the Rev. Bill Hounshell offered a prayer of benediction for the dedication and remembrance. Taps was played live on the bugle and Ian Pickard performed “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes. An honor guard performed the most solemn 21-gun salute concluding the official dedication ceremony for the Loveland WWII Honor Roll Monument now standing on the grounds of the Loveland Museum Center just as it stood for all to see on the grounds of the Karl Brown Square (current approximate site of the fountain by the running store near the bike trail) during World War II.

Immediately following the ceremony, people approached the monument and recognized names of family members and friends who served. Gene Zackerman and his wife Valerie Poe Zackerman quickly identified her father, Meredith Poe, his brother Louis Poe, and two cousins Allen and Richard Poe.

“I had pictures in my Mom and Dad’s photos from when it was down there (Brown Square),” said Valerie, who fought back tears when asked what it meant to see this Honor Roll monument restored. “It’s just emotional. Dad was in White Sands, NM when they tested the Atomic Bomb. My dad would be so happy.”

The Zackerman’s were not alone in locating familiar names on the monument. Lifelong Loveland resident George Wolbers found the names of two of his brothers on the wall. 

“Right there is two of them,” said Wolbers. “Norbert and Lawrence, that’s my second oldest and third oldest brother. My oldest brother isn’t on there. He was killed in 1946, Edward Wolbers. They did a great job there restoring it.”

Jim Grethel mentioned some names were still missing from the monument and asked people to help find them. George Wolbers’ wife Carolyn shared the information about Ed Wolbers with Grethel right after the ceremony. He’s excited about the reaction to the restored monument already evident in people coming out for the dedication, and even before.

“It means a lot,” said Grethel. “It confirms what we believed about the monument to begin with. We’re a tightknit, close community and it just proves that. We couldn’t have had it better. They’ve been coming for the last few days. The guy that does our garden says it’s been going for a week. People are coming down here in the middle of the day, putting their hands on it and pointing. It has really worked out well.”

A familiar name around Loveland and all of Cincinnati, Keith Maupin, veteran United States Marine Corp and “GoldStar” father of Matt Maupin, U.S. Army-POW KIA, was on hand for the dedication ceremony. He was happy to see people remembering in such a special way this Memorial Day. Like Representative Brad Wenstrup noted, people forget too quickly the good works; especially by those who have fallen during the fight for our freedom.

“I don’t even know what to say,” said Maupin. “It’s pretty awesome that they did this. I knew a long time ago people have the tendency to forget. They will forget. You know what, in everyday life, I don’t expect people to stop, but at least there were a lot of people here today.”

For one day on Memorial Day, Monday, May 31, 2021 the people of Loveland came together and paused to remember. It was a most fitting dedication and tribute to all from Loveland who are on the WWII Honor Roll Monument. Anybody can stop any day to find familiar names, or even simply to honor a stranger they’ve never known, but who fought to ensure our freedoms every day!

Click here to visit Loveland Museum Center online.