Memorial Day brings on thoughts of grilling out with family and friends, hanging out in the back yard and attending the local parade, but we all know the bigger meaning is to take time to remember those who served our country. Each family has a different way of acknowledging this. Hopefully, with all of the current changes in events, you can find a new way of paying tribute to fallen soldiers if yearly traditions have now been altered.
Many of these memorials were created by Veterans who had a vision to create a beautiful place to pay tribute to the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while defending our country.
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If you are looking to take a day trip to pay tribute to veterans for Memorial Day, I’ve featured a few places to consider. We’ll start with the War on Terrorism and work our way back through history.
Many Memorial Day parades and ceremonies have been canceled due to COVID-19. This may result in a lot of groups not being able to get out to put flags on the graves. Taking your own flags to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers and placing them by individual graves is a great tradition to do on Memorial Day. You can order your flags here.
War on Terrorism
Can you believe it’s been almost 20 years since 9-11? Over 5000 soldiers have died since that devastating day. Ohio has created a memorial for fallen soldiers who resided in Ohio prior to deployment.
Located in the heart of Ohio, the Ohio Fallen Heroes Memorial is dedicated to all those who have lost their lives fighting the war on terrorism since September 11, 2001. Sunbury, Ohio was chosen because the site is within 10 miles of the geographical center of Ohio.
In the courtyard, there is an area designated to honor veterans who have served in the National Guard, Reserves or any branch of Active Duty. If you would like to have a brick dedicated to a special veteran in your life you can access the form here.
Vietnam
(I have not been to the following memorial parks.)
Ohio Veterans Memorial Park in Clinton, Ohio is opened to the public 24 hours a day. The park has a black granite wall with names from the Vietnam War, much like the one in Washington, D.C.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park at S Patterson Blvd. Dayton, Ohio is also opened to the public 24 hours a day. It’s granite, circular memorial wall recognizes the soldiers who lost their lives during the Vietnam War who were from Greene, Montgomery, Warren, Preble, Miami, Darke, Clark, and Butler County.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial of Lorain County is a third destination to visit over Memorial Day. It is located in the northeast region of Ohio at 625 N. Lake St., Amherst. 98 men who perished during the Vietnam War from Lorain County are recognized at this memorial.
Korean War
33,741 American Service personnel gave their lives during the Korean War. Many, many more were injured, taken captive or are still listed as MIA. Many feel this war has been overlooked in the history books. Paying tribute to these soldiers over Memorial Day is a great way to pay respect to the fallen and to educate the next generation about America’s history.
Three Ohio locations are dedicated to those who lost their lives during the Korean War.
- The Korean Veterans Memorial in Riverbend Park, on the north bank of the Great Miami River in Dayton
- Korean War Monument at the Euclid Veterans Memorial Park, 585 E. 222nd St.
- Reading Ohio, just north of Cincinnati
World War II
One of the largest memorials outside of Washington, D.C., the World War II Veterans Memorial in Marion, Ohio acknowledges the ultimate sacrifice given by local WWII veterans.
Civil War
Ohioans played a large part in the Civil War. There are so many memorials throughout the state that I thought posting a comprehensive website would be the simplest way. The full list of sites can be found here.
War Museums
Ohio is home to some very special wartime museums. They are a great way to learn more about the weapons, tanks and planes that were used, along with special memorabilia.
- National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio is one of the most extensive aeronautical museums in the U.S. Planes from multiples wars, along with NASA related aircraft, are on display. If you have any interest in aviation, this is a must do.
- Motts Military Museum in Groveport, Ohio features artifacts from the Civil War to the present. They have displays that are always changing so check in often to see what new items are on display.
- Fort Meigs 1813 in Perrysburg, Ohio provides a combination of videos, reading material, static displays and a reconstructed fort to give you the full feel and understanding of what occurred during the War of 1812.
- The Sherman House Museum in Lancaster, Ohio is a living museum depicting the life of General William Tecumseh Sherman’s childhood home. Relicts from the time period are on display and a guided tour throughout the home is available. You can even get your picture taken by Sherman’s cannon used during the Civil War.
- Belmont County is very fortunate to have citizens who so strongly support current and past members of the military. The Belmont County Military Veterans Museum is packed with amazing displays of memorabilia and pictures from combat and soldiers from the past. You can read more about this destination in this post.
Paying Tribute
Memorial Day is a day set aside for all Americans to stop and reflect on the sacrifices veterans have made for our freedom. It’s a great day to pay tribute to these soldiers and visit their graves and memorials, but it doesn’t have to be limited to this day alone. Throughout the year, we should always stay reminded of the fact that thousands upon thousands of men and women are deployed, leave their family and friends and may or may not return back home. They do this so each and every American can live in peace and enjoy the freedoms our forefathers set before us.
At the very least, thank those that have served and are presently serving.
“Honor to the soldier and sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country’s cause. Honor, also, to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field and serves, as he best can, the same cause.” -Abraham Lincoln
What are some of your favorite war memorials to visit?
