Published: November 18, 2008 12:58 pm            

War Memorial is unveiled

Monticello — Rain may have altered the plans for last Tuesday's Veterans Day Parade,

but it didn't dampen the spirits of local veterans, as they participated in

the ceremony and the historic unveiling of the War Memorial, which is

located in front of the Judicial Center.

The parade itself was canceled because of the weather and the Veterans

Day ceremony was moved to inside the National Guard Armory, where veterans

were joined by local residents in a very moving tribute. Hardin Phillips was

the keynote speaker for the event.

Phillips noted that the new memorial will mark the first one that will

include the names of all Wayne County veterans killed in service of their

country. These include 23 World War I veterans, 73 World War II veterans, 9

Korean War veterans and 11 Vietnam veterans.

"This day will be the first time all our veterans killed in service will

be united and memorialized in one location. There are 116 Wayne County super

heroes on this monument," said Phillips, as he addressed the crowd.

"The vast majority of these super heroes that gave their lives were very

young, between 17 and 25 years old. This added an extra burden of grief to

Wayne County families that lost their soldier," stated Phillips. "This day

is very special to me as my uncle, Captain Frank S. Phillips' name, will be

one of the 73 names in the World War II list etched on this memorial."

"When I think of the ultimate sacrifice these young Wayne County men

made for all of us, I realize how blessed I am to live in America," he

continued. "If I had to choose one word to describe this commitment these

young Wayne County veterans made, it would be Œselfless-service.' Not, what

will I get out of this; not, what's in it for me and not, how will this

benefit me in the long run but these soldiers put Monticello, Wayne County,

Kentucky and America in front of me or I."

Phillips commended the local Disabled American Veterans organization for

their efforts.

"I would like to congratulate the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 105

and their commander, Don Lair. They have done two major projects that

exemplify what service to Wayne County looks like," he said. "First, the

D.A.V. Funeral Honor Guard has performed 30 funerals for deceased veterans

in Wayne and surrounding counties. Second, the D.A.V. has organized and

collected for the placement of the new veteran memorial. Both of these

events exemplify selfless-service."

As the ceremony concluded, Don Lair, Commander for the Monticello D.A.V.

invited everyone to go to the Judicial Center for the unveiling.

"It has 116 names on it and these 116 people made the ultimate

sacrifice...They gave all," stated Lair. "I encourage the people of Wayne

County to stop by and go look at this memorial...spend some time there and

look at the names."

After members of the D.A.V. unveiled the memorial, local World War II

veterans placed flower arrangements containing 116 roses on the black

granite monument. The centerpiece of the monument is an American flag and

under the flag is the statement "Some Gave All." It includes the names of

all branches of the service.

        

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