The Ross Township Veterans Memorial was dedicated on Saturday afternoon under a bright blue sky and the American flag as the backdrop behind the township park and playground.

“This has been a while in the making. This monument started out as dream when the original committee met in my home,” said Linda Kresge, a Ross Township resident and chairwoman of the Memorial Committee.

She told the crowd about the golf tournaments and other fundraisers they held to raise $23,000. The expenses exceeded that amount, and they were fortunate to have businesses and individuals who gave of their time and talent.

Her late husband, Butch Kresge, who was a former Ross supervisor, was on the committee and helped with the electrical work and installation.

“This is something he wanted to see done,” she said.

The monument was completed a few years ago, but was dedicated because of the pandemic and other things that delayed the event.

“This monument is proof that if you work, even if it’s a few people, things can happen,” Kresge said.

She spoke of Howard Hunter, who came with a piece of equipment to dig a narrow ditch; David Altemose who did the masonry work; former township secretaries Doris Price and Sharon Steen, who purchased the two benches in front of the monument; and others who brought this project to fruition.

“This is a lovely, beautiful, lasting way to remember those men and women who served in the military,” said state Rep. Jack Rader. “The character of our Armed Forces is supreme. Our nation remains free because of our veterans.”

The monument includes a list of names of people who lived in the township while serving in the military.

“We asked people to submit their name. But we know we may have missed someone, and those names can be added later,” said Kresge.

Her son, Brian Cerino, is one of the names listed on the plaque. He was a Navy airman during the Gulf War.

“He was 21 when he died in 1991 during a midair collision,” she said. “The crash occurred during a practice maneuver.”

Her other son, Bruce Cerino, provided the music for the day’s ceremony.

Ross Township Supervisor Randy Detrick began the ceremony with a prayer. Boy Scout Troop 102 read the poem “Freedom Isn’t Free” by Kelly Strong. Members of the American Legion Post 927 in Gibert performed a gun salute and Taps.

The Ross Township Historical Society’s museum was open and refreshments were served.

On the large table in the center, there were old newspapers, books and other relics. There was a rack of military uniforms and a table of helmets, representing various eras. Historical society members mingled with guests and shared stories about who donated the items and what they represent.

Marsha Beers had a display box filled with medals her father, Irvin Cowling, received while serving in the Asian Pacific Campaign.

“My favorite picture of him is when he was in Egypt. He and others were on camels in front on the Sphinx during some free time,” Beers said.

She said he loved to talk about the good times he had as an airplane mechanic, and only spoke of one life-threatening incident.

He was gassed while enemy aircraft were strafing - a military practice of attacking ground targets from low-flying aircraft - above the runway.

“His guys came running out with gas masks and pulled him inside. They gave him an oxygen mask. They saved his life and prevented damage to the brain,” she said.

Beers has another family member who joined the military.

Her sister entered the Navy to “see the world; however, she was cleared to work at the Pentagon and spent her career there. She met her spouse there,” Beers said.

Martha Rezeli, secretary of the Ross Township Historical Society, showed a book with pictures of airplanes in it and a letter from a “Spotter” who used to watch out for enemy planes.

“This represents how people at home supported those in the military. They received a book, binoculars and instructions on how to determine if it was an enemy airplane. If it was, they had to contact the warden, and that person would protect the Homeland,” she said.

The museum is open the second Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each month and is free.