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The Ironton American Legion Post 433,
with the help and cooperation of William
Trembly, whose donation of the use of his
property, The Ironton Hills Shopping
Center, has enabled the Legion to host The
Flags of Honor Columbus-based display that
honors Ohio's men and women in the armed
services who have given their lives
fighting the global war on terrorism.
The opening ceremony was Friday, August
19, at 5 p.m. and included guest speakers,
a roll call posting of the Flags of Honor,
posting of the colors, honor guard salute
and taps. Taps were also played at 9 p.m.
nightly while the display was up. A
closing ceremony occurred on Sunday,
August 21.
The Ohio Flags of Honor Memorial began
its journey in May of 2004. Gino and Lisa
Zimmer, parents of Specialist Nicholaus E.
Zimmer, U.S. Army, were notified on
Memorial Day that their son Nick had been
killed in Kufa, Iraq. Through this tragic
loss for the Zimmer family and with the
gratitude they felt for the overwhelming
support of veterans, motorcycle clubs and
organizations that attended their son's
funeral, the Opera-tion Iraqi Freedom
Chopper Fund (OIFCF), a non-profit
501(c)(3) organization, was
established.
In September of 2005, Ohio was notified
that the U.S. Marines from Lima Company,
3rd Battalion/25th Regiment were returning
from a storied assignment in Iraq. Lima
Company had suffered heavy losses during
the eight months that they were deployed
in the Middle East. Sixteen of twenty-two
killed in action were Ohio Marines. Ohio
wanted to honor the returning Lima Company
Marines for a "job well done" as well as
pay tribute to their fallen comrades.
Members of a local American Legion Post
made plans to set up an "Avenue of Flags"
at Rickenbacker Field, south of Columbus,
that the returning Marines could view as
they passed by. "Flags of Honor" were to
be flown in memory of Lima Company's
fallen comrades, along with dozens of
tribute flags, sponsored by various Ohio
veteran's organizations.
The Rickenbacker display was well
received and appreciated by all who saw
it. Many asked how this memorial could
tour Ohio for others to see. The next day,
the OIFCF was contacted by the organizers
of the flag display for Lima Company.
After some discussion, it became apparent
that the Operation Iraqi Freedom Chopper
Fund could have more impact by focusing on
Ohio's fallen soldiers through the "Ohio
Flags of Honor" memorial tribute.
On October 15th, 2005, the OIFCF became
Ohio Flags of Honor.
Currently, the display consists of a
cordoned area in which are displayed
245-plus Flags of Honor.
These are surrounded by approximately
400 tribute flags sponsored by
individuals, families, veterans'
organizations, corporations, etc. Each
flag measures 3x5 feet and is mounted on a
10-foot pole; this creates a very
impressive and moving display that covers
many thousands of square feet. The public
is encouraged to walk among the flags and
pay their respect to Ohio's fallen, who
have made the ultimate sacrifice in
service to their country.
The Ohio Flags of Honor Memorial is a
non-partisan, non-political,
not-for-profit 501(c) (3) corporation
incorporated in September of 2004 under
the laws of the State of Ohio.
Incorporation documents are on file with
the Ohio Attorney General's Office and
available online at
OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov.
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