Commander Nick Hine, Sr. and fellow legionnaires installed the Veterans Remembrance Wall at Col. Jacob Morgan American Legion Post 537, Morgantown on April 21. Family members and friends of deceased veterans placed the plaques on the wall.
“This has been my vision since becoming post commander a few years ago,” said Commander Hine, the youngest commander in American Legion history at age 51, who served in the 101st Airborne in Desert Storm and Somali, Mogadishu. “I donated the Soldier’s Cross that sits on the table placed near our entryway to honor our KIA’s. On the table set for one is a blank check drawn on The Veterans Bank and Trust, payable to the United States of America up to and including my life, sworn to God and Country. Every soldier signs one.”
On April 21, his vision came to fruition with the interior wall and reflection mirror, flanked on each side with eternal flames. A sign under the mirror reads, “A refection of you for your military service and for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice to ensure our freedom.”
Opening remarks were followed by a blessing and prayer by Ken Overcutt, Chaplin, Finance Officer. Then, like a roll call, they came placing the names on the wall: Terry Hartman, Vietnam veteran, posted his father’s name, Richard Hartman; Lenny Creitz posted his father Leonard Creitz Sr. then Jan Creitz her father Byrum Caywood aside her Uncle Warren (his twin brother); Nick Hine posted names of three sergeants he lost in Desert Storm; Melvin Jacobs placed one for his father Donald Sr. and brother Scott.
Tears flowed on as Mary Scarborough placed her Grandfather Major Scarborough’s name onto the wall. Tom Butts had 10 to place: three KIA in Vietnam, all attached to a helicopter unit and childhood friends, one whose mother died at her son’s funeral of heartbreak. Then his family: Aunt Teresa Stetson and her husband Joseph who married during World War II; Michael Licten, Kenneth Marek, Frank Marek, a brother in-law who died a year after the war, then Edward and Andrew Butts World War II-Pearl Harbor, Their stories now live on the wall.
And it continued until all were placed: Gaylord Jensen, Ronald Jensen, Max Moore, Edwin Trupe, Robert T. Rissel, Robert G. Rissel, William Cronin, Gary Dillon, Thomas Dando, Thomas Adams, Thomas Cargnile, Varnum Crawford, Kevin Dovlin, William Hurley, John Kilkus, Timothy Romei,Thomas Adams, John Barsh, Richard Hartman, , Sherwood Ewing, Charles Senn, Charles Minnich, Homer Minnich, Nevin , Clyde Minnich, Clyde Kochel, Homer L. Reese, Michael Reese, James Reese. Hugh McNeil, David L. Jones, Edward Uman, Laurence Jones, Myron Ireland, Jimmy Smith, Jack Gonsorick, John Calvin Sr.
All were visibly shaken, there were no dry eyes. Blank plaques of the living rested on the wall with those remembered; someday their names will join them: Steve Jensen, Todd Trupe, Troy Trupe, Pat Reese, Donald Jacobs, Roger Jacobs, Barry Jacobs, Melvin Jacobs, Len Scarborough. Nicholas Hine Sr., Leonard E. Creitz Jr., Gary Hart, Pat Reese, Robert Jones, and David R. Jones.
The veterans stood in remembered and present grief, saluting.
Gloria Massa-Hine, Legion Rider Historian, shared the Legion regulations with the Tri County Record, “We are always seeking new members especially the youth. In addition to Legionnaire veterans (even if you didn’t serve in combat), we also have the Sons of the American Legion, and the Auxiliary eligible if you had a grandfather or father who served, and social membership.”
Hine added, “Any deceased veteran who served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Reserves or National Guard is eligible for the wall, you do not have to be a post member or have served in combat. Discharge papers are required. A plaque is $50, you can also buy blank plaques for living veterans to be inscribed at the time of their death. All proceeds go to the Post.”
Judge Advocate Lenny Creitz and his wife Jan, chairperson of the fund, presented the cake for the day.
“It’s a great day to honor our fallen veterans. Some of my friends are on that wall, and all on that wall are my brothers,” said Lenny.
Jan added, “This wall is like welcoming my family here… to meet my family and friends here at the Legion, I think they are proud of us.”
The wall shimmered with medals while the song “Sgt. MacKenzie,” a lament written and sung by Joseph Kilna MacKenzie in memory of his great-grandfather who was killed in combat during World War I:
“Lay me down in the cold cold ground
Where before many more have gone
When they come I will stand my ground
Stand my ground I’ll not be afraid
Thoughts of home take away my fear
Sweat and blood hide my veil of tears
Once a year say a prayer for me
Close your eyes and remember me.”
