Grove City welcomes the Ohio Flags of Honor traveling memorial for the eighth year Friday, June 15 through Sunday, June 17 in the Grove City Town Center at the southeast corner of Park Street and Arbutus Avenue. Ohio Flags of Honor features more than 400 full-size American flags honoring Ohio soldiers who gave their lives serving in Afghanistan, Iraq and globally since 2001.
The display provides fellowship for families, friends and communities who want to pay tribute to Ohio’s fallen soldiers while increasing awareness for active service members and veterans. The flags may be viewed around the clock from noon, Friday, June 15, until 1 p.m., Sunday, June 17. Volunteers are needed to assist with posting flags at approximately 7:30 a.m., Friday and loading for transport after the event at 1 p.m., Sunday. Anyone interested in volunteering should meet at the Flags of Honor site.
The community is encouraged to attend the flag presentation at 7 p.m., Friday with the honor guard of the Grove City Division of Police and Jackson Township Fire Department, followed by The Tom Daugherty Orchestra concert. Visitors are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets.
Boy Scout Troop 136 from Grove City will set up camp and attend to the flags throughout the weekend. The troop will accept worn flags for a future flag retirement ceremony.
Saturday, June 16 at 9:30 a.m., join Gold Star family members and WWII Medal of Honor recipient Hershel “Woody” Williams to dedicate the Gold Star Families Memorial Park at the southeast corner of Broadway and Columbus Street. Williams, the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945, returns to Grove City to speak about the completion of the park and what it means to Ohio’s Gold Star Families. Williams established the Hershel “Woody” Williams Medal of Honor Foundation, to honor the families of those lost in service to our country.
“Grove City is committed to honoring our fallen and their families,” said Mayor Richard L. “Ike” Stage. “Our hearts are with the families of all Ohioans who lost their lives including those in our own community.”
Visit the Ohio Flags of Honor Foundation website at ohioflagsofhonor.org for information on the traveling memorial.
For additional event information, call 614-277-3050.
