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It was 10 years ago today that the vision of an area veteran, coupled with an incredible community effort to honor our American heroes, was christened in downtown Warren.
The Trumbull County Veterans' Memorial, erected on the east bank of the Mahoning River, commemorates the sacrifice made by military men and women in service to their country. It was built largely by volunteers from local building trades organizations with donations from local businesses, organizations and residents, funded in large part by the sale of commemorative pavers and bricks in a "Wall of Honor" intended to memorialize and honor those who served our country.
But the vision that made this entire project come to fruition was born in the mind of Marine 1st Lt. William Muter, a Vietnam veteran, formerly of Warren. Muter had formed the Western Reserve Veterans' Memorial Association to raise the money to complete and place the statue in Monument Park in downtown Warren.
Sadly, Muter passed away in 2007, and was never able to see his dream realized. The association continued, however, seeking assistance from the Trumbull 100 to find a way to complete Muter's vision and properly honor the veterans of World War II.
Today, the brick wall bearing the name of thousands of veterans surrounds a bronze World War II statue, a replica of a Marine depicted in the painting "BAR on the Beach."
"BAR on the Beach," is a scene from the battle of Iwo Jima during World War II, painted by retired Marine Col. Charles Waterhouse. BAR is the acronym for Browning Automatic Rifle, which is the firearm the Marine is holding in the painting and in the commissioned statue. The statue, the only one of its kind in the world, is the work of New York sculptor Robert Eccleston.
It was Muter who had commissioned creation of the life-sized bronze statue of the World War II Marine, complete with the exact detail uniform and equipment, before his 2007 death. A small model of the beautiful statue is exhibited in a glass showcase in the lobby of the Tribune Chronicle offices in Warren.
Ground was broken Memorial Day, May 26, 2008, for the memorial's creation. Baker, Bednar and Associates donated architectural services and produced the stunning design of the memorial. The Jack Gibson Construction Co. and the Mahoning Valley Building Trades Association donated contractor services and labor for the project. Trumbull 100 volunteers also assisted in steering the project and the city of Warren gave full cooperation and assistance.
It was Veterans Day 2008 -- incredibly already 10 years ago today -- that veterans, residents and volunteers numbering in the hundreds gathered under a giant tent erected to celebrate the memorial's dedication. Roger Ailes, then-chairman and CEO of Fox News, who is a Warren native, was the guest speaker. I recall it was a blustery day much like today.
I'm proud to say the Tribune Chronicle also played a significant role in coordinating fundraising efforts for this important project by selling pavers and bricks, including one that carries the name of my grandfather, Raymond Richie, who served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War II. He has since passed away, like so many of our World War II service men and women that had served their country admirably.
It's that reason that makes it so important to honor and remember them before they all perish from this earth.
If you have never had an opportunity to visit the memorial, adjacent to the downtown Log Cabin and across from Courthouse Square Park in downtown Warren, I suggest you find time soon. Take your children and grandchildren to teach them the importance of remembering these heroes who helped preserve freedom as we know it.
Despite the blustery weather, today, Veterans Day and the 10-year anniversary of this beautiful and solemn memorial, would be a wonderful day to do that.
blinert@tribtoday.com