A tradition started in Arlington National Cemetery took place Sunday afternoon at the Ohio Fallen Heroes Memorial to honor those killed in the War on Terror. The OFHM Memorial Committee gathered at the memorial as a Valentine’s Day tradition to place red roses on the markers honoring Ohioans who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

“This is one of the reasons we created the memorial,” said Jim Bernholtz, OFHM President. “We wanted to provide a place, close to home, where Ohio families could come and honor their loved ones.”

During Sunday’s gathering at the memorial on Cherry Street in Sunbury, Mayor Tommy Hatfield presented a proclamation to members of the Ohio Fallen Heroes Memorial.

“I think it’s incredible to have this memorial in Sunbury,” Hatfield said. “This not only memorializes those who gave their all for our nation, but also is a memorial recognizing the continuing sacrifice of the families left behind.”

Hatfield also said the Ohio Fallen Heroes Memorial is a testament to the many volunteers who step forward to maintain the site and organize the fundraising events that help pay for the $25,000 annual cost to maintain the site.

“As a community, we understand the efforts of the many volunteers who step forward to make certain these men and women are never forgotten,” Hatfield said. “To take the time to come here, walk among these markers, read the names, see the mementos family members leave here, it adds a whole new meaning to boots on the ground. It’s a daily reminder that people put their lives on the line for us.”

To date the Ohio Fallen Heroes Memorial has markers recognizing 284 Ohio men and women who have lost their lives during the War on Terror.

The Ohio Fallen Heroes Memorial is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation founded and established in 2005 by local Veterans who had a vision to build a tribute to all of the men and women in uniform from Ohio that have made the ultimate sacrifice in the Global War on Terrorism since September 11, 2001.

The Ohio Fallen Heroes Memorial is recognized by Ohio House Resolution 30 as Ohio’s only memorial honoring all Ohio military personnel killed in the War on Terrorism.

The Ohio Fallen Heroes Memorial organization interacts with Gold Star families and works to educate Ohioans on the sacrifice of the state’s fallen heroes, and share their stories.

The Ohio Fallen Heroes Memorial Board of Trustees has established the Heroes Legacy Fund, Inc., a trust fund that will insure continued maintenance of the site and related activities for generations to come.

Dan Shaw places a rose at the Ohio Fallen Heroes Memorial marker recognizing the sacrifice of US Army Specialist Anthony Kinslow. Kinslow, a 2002 Big Walnut High School graduate, was killed in action on June 13, 2005, when the Humvee he was riding in came under attack in Ramadi, Iraq.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2017/02/web1_OFHM2017Roses-190.a.jpgDan Shaw places a rose at the Ohio Fallen Heroes Memorial marker recognizing the sacrifice of US Army Specialist Anthony Kinslow. Kinslow, a 2002 Big Walnut High School graduate, was killed in action on June 13, 2005, when the Humvee he was riding in came under attack in Ramadi, Iraq.

Sunbury Mayor Tommy Hatfield, right, reads a proclamation to Ohio Fallen Heroes Memorial committee members who were at the memorial site last Sunday as a Valentines Day tradition to place roses on markers honoring Ohioans who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the War on Terror. Attending the ceremony, from left, Jim Sutton, Carson Klinger, John Campbell, Darrin Klinger and Hatfield.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2017/02/web1_OFHM2017Roses-290.a.jpgSunbury Mayor Tommy Hatfield, right, reads a proclamation to Ohio Fallen Heroes Memorial committee members who were at the memorial site last Sunday as a Valentines Day tradition to place roses on markers honoring Ohioans who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the War on Terror. Attending the ceremony, from left, Jim Sutton, Carson Klinger, John Campbell, Darrin Klinger and Hatfield.