Veterans’ memorial worked on at Senior Center
Veterans Brad Collmar and Jon Bennett work on a memorial to honor all veterans at the Coshocton County Senior Center. Beacon photo by Josie McCormick
COSHOCTON – Work started Oct. 4 on a memorial to honor veterans at the Coshocton County Senior Center.
“Last year we tried to get a grant to build one but it didn’t go through so I figured since I know the guys that own most of these businesses I’d see if they’d donate material,” said Brad Collmar, a veteran who also works for Kno-Ho-Co, which runs the senior center.
Coshocton Lumber, Auer Ace Hardware and Annin all made donations to the project.
“We are thrilled that different people were willing to take part,” said Jamie Williams, who is director of the senior center.
Tom Edwards, who owns Ace and also is a city councilman, made a presentation to the Coshocton County Commissioners to get the okay to remove two crab apple trees on either side of the flagpole at the senior center and replace them with the memorial. The memorial will feature two new flagpoles on each side of the existing flagpole with an Ohio State flag and a POW flag, a vinyl fence and two shadow figures, one with Marines planting the flag on Iwo Jima and one featuring a soldier praying at a grave. The shadow figures were made by Collmar along with wooden cutouts representing each branch of the military. The different branches also will be represented by decorative rocks featuring military symbols.
“We value our veterans and we have quite a few of them who come here,” Williams said. “This is a perfect place to honor them and we are excited to do it.”
The senior center is planning on officially dedicating the memorial during its Veterans Day service on Friday, Nov. 9.
josie@coshoctoncountybeacon.com
Category: People & Places
