Gary Allen and his daughter Paula Wortinger look at the name plaques on the Galesburg Wall of Honor.
Group recognizes veterans in Galesburg
By Bruce Rolfe
A project the Galesburg Downtown Development Authority launched earlier in the summer with a ceremony recognizing local veterans, received so much positive response, the group held another ceremony a week before Veterans Day recognizing 37 more local veterans at a ceremony November 4.
A new Galesburg Wall of Honor that included the names of 45 people from Galesburg or who attended Galesburg-Augusta High School and served in the military, was unveiled June 30 in the middle of the city near the General Shafter Memorial.
The DDA accepted applications to recognize veterans from the community, both past and present, leading up to last week’s ceremony when 37 new names were placed on the Wall of Honor.
Kim Enders, president of the Galesburg Downtown Development Authority, said it has been very pleasing to see the area respond with nominations.
“Both celebrations we had, this center (where the dedication took place) was packed. I’m thrilled that the community is taking this so well and submitting the names. Because some of these veterans have passed. So it takes a family member, or a friend, or whatever,” said Enders, who said another dedication will be scheduled next spring.
A new Galesburg Wall of Honor that included the names of 45 people from Galesburg or who attended Galesburg-Augusta High School and served in the military, was unveiled June 30 in the middle of the city near the General Shafter Memorial.
The DDA accepted applications to recognize veterans from the community, both past and present, leading up to last week’s ceremony when 37 new names were placed on the Wall of Honor.
Kim Enders, president of the Galesburg Downtown Development Authority, said it has been very pleasing to see the area respond with nominations.
“Both celebrations we had, this center (where the dedication took place) was packed. I’m thrilled that the community is taking this so well and submitting the names. Because some of these veterans have passed. So it takes a family member, or a friend, or whatever,” said Enders, who said another dedication will be scheduled next spring.
The event was especially moving and important for visitors who served in the military, had their name, or the name of a family member who served in the military, placed on the Wall of Honor.
A large audience enjoyed the ceremony, with some clapping or yelling when the name of a loved one was read.
Jake and Paula Wortinger of Galesburg, were pleased to see the name of their son Zachary Allen Wortinger join two family uncles, Dennis Wortinger and Donald Phillips, on the Wall of Honor.
“It’s great for the community to see the name of your loved one on there (the Wall of Honor),” said Paula.
“It just shows you how many from a small town have served in the military,” adds Jake, who said the couple’s son served in the Air Force six years.
Galesburg resident Wayne C. Patterson said it was pleasing to see all the veterans recognized, but came to the ceremony to see his stepbrother Wayne Gerald Patterson, who he said goes by Gerry Patterson, recognized.
“What a nice beautiful occasion this is. I didn’t find out about this until yesterday that this was even happening. I thought how cool is that to have that done for him. What a nice beautiful occasion this is,” said Wayne Patterson, who said his stepbrother served in the Vietnam conflict.
The names recognized November 4 were:
Craig Allen Newton, Zachary Allen Wortinger, Tom Cody, Steven V. Marble, Mike Mezo, Ian Launius, Terry Edward Dowty, Michael J. McNett, Jim Yarger, Rob Piper, Michael J. Dennis, James E. Simon, Coty McNees, John Albert Hunt, Leonard R. Fearson, Wayne Jerry Patterson, Robert Clifton Hutchins, Larry Lee Peck, Robert Lawrence Kuiper, Brandon Ramsey, Donald Phillips, Chester Waldorf, George Waldorf, Josh Bowers, Dudley Snow, Daniel Ellis, Colin Hanna, Chris Hanna, Dennis Hanna, Kyle Hanna, John Enders, Jacob Milbauer, Robert H. Wilson, Dennis Lee Wortinger, David Batey, Raymond Pierce, and Steven C. Pearce.
Enders said to nominate a local veteran, an application can be picked up at the Galesburg City Hall and returned to City Hall. She said a donation allowed the DDA to waive the $15 fee for the plaques that were placed on the wall for the November 4 ceremony.
Nominations can also be made by contacting Enders through Messenger on her Facebook page. She will need the name of the person, rank of the veteran, and branch of service.
The DDA decided to remove a previous sign in the middle of town containing names of local people who served in the military, because it was not being maintained and the DDA wanted to change some of the requirements.
Enders, president and CEO of the non-profit organization Fallen But Not Forgotten Military, said she was asked to re-establish the veteran wall.
Names that were on the previous wall display were transferred to the new display with new plaques.
Enders said previously, to be included on the board, a person had to be actively serving in the military. Veterans who previously served are now considered for the Wall of Honor.
Craig Allen Newton, Zachary Allen Wortinger, Tom Cody, Steven V. Marble, Mike Mezo, Ian Launius, Terry Edward Dowty, Michael J. McNett, Jim Yarger, Rob Piper, Michael J. Dennis, James E. Simon, Coty McNees, John Albert Hunt, Leonard R. Fearson, Wayne Jerry Patterson, Robert Clifton Hutchins, Larry Lee Peck, Robert Lawrence Kuiper, Brandon Ramsey, Donald Phillips, Chester Waldorf, George Waldorf, Josh Bowers, Dudley Snow, Daniel Ellis, Colin Hanna, Chris Hanna, Dennis Hanna, Kyle Hanna, John Enders, Jacob Milbauer, Robert H. Wilson, Dennis Lee Wortinger, David Batey, Raymond Pierce, and Steven C. Pearce.
Enders said to nominate a local veteran, an application can be picked up at the Galesburg City Hall and returned to City Hall. She said a donation allowed the DDA to waive the $15 fee for the plaques that were placed on the wall for the November 4 ceremony.
Nominations can also be made by contacting Enders through Messenger on her Facebook page. She will need the name of the person, rank of the veteran, and branch of service.
The DDA decided to remove a previous sign in the middle of town containing names of local people who served in the military, because it was not being maintained and the DDA wanted to change some of the requirements.
Enders, president and CEO of the non-profit organization Fallen But Not Forgotten Military, said she was asked to re-establish the veteran wall.
Names that were on the previous wall display were transferred to the new display with new plaques.
Enders said previously, to be included on the board, a person had to be actively serving in the military. Veterans who previously served are now considered for the Wall of Honor.
The Wall of Honor ceremony November 4 in Galesburg drew many visitors.
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