By Bruce Rolfe

The dedication of a World War II Memorial area the Climax Village Council recently developed in the Village Park, took place following the Memorial Day parade and a wreath laying ceremony in the Village Park.

Village Council members Janet Sutherland, Joline Chaney, interim president David Miller and village resident Roger Smith, who put a lot of time researching, developing a landscape plan and obtaining estimates for the Memorial area, participated in the dedication.

In 2023, Climax Village Council members former president Jim Cummings, current interim president David Miller, trustees Janet Sutherland, Joline Chaney, Nick Ludwig, Denise Kenney, and Carolyn Kelly unanimously voted to update and improve a World War II Memorial area that recognizes eight World War II Climax area veterans who lost their lives during the war.

Miller gave a brief history about the project and read the names of the eight local soldiers and the branch of military they served in.

The old marker containing the names of Max Bailey, Amos Force, Wilfred Gibson, Dallas Malone, Loyd Puffer, Wesley Simmonds, Carroll Smoke, and Fred Trubey remains in place, however a 36-inch by 24-inch soldier plaque that will contain the names and some information about the eight Climax WW II veterans, will be installed in the near future. A temporary plaque with the information was installed for Memorial Day and the dedication.

Some other enhancements include a pea stone surface in the area, three dwarf shrubs were planted, a new light pole has been installed to light up the area and two Buddy Benches containing a suicide prevention phone number were installed.

A three foot soldier plaque base, five service logo plaques for each branch of the military, one service logo plaque base and steel boarder rails will be installed when they are ready in the near future.

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