“When I heard they were going to do this, I was like, ‘Yes!’” Holland said. “I think it’s very important the township be involved in having recognition to all those who we’ve lost.”
Holland was one of a handful of residents who were part of a focus group that developed a plan to present to Fairfield Twp. Trustees about building a memorial for military veterans.
Trustees will discuss that plan at a Jan. 11 work session.
On Monday evening, the group of township residents came with ideas of what a memorial should have and whittled down a long list to a plan of 12 features, including making it a destination attraction that will educate and inspire those who visit. And though a location will ultimately be up to the trustees, the committee wants to see it in an area with high visibility.
The township trustees were not a part of the focus group discussion — which was at the request of the facilitator, Dan Hare — but a memorial is something important to the board, said Trustee Shannon Hartkemeyer.
“Over the years Fairfield Twp. has been represented in the Armed Forces, and it’s very important to honor and remember these brave men and women’s sacrifices,” she said. “And as a daughter of a career military officer, it’s especially important to me.”
In addition to Hartkemeyer’s father, Air Force Maj. Stephen Hoar, other relatives, including her grandfather, also served.
“I’ve seen the sacrifices people make,” she said. “I’ve lived it.”
Fred Valerius was a part of the initial discussion of a veterans memorial in the township when it was brought up at a Fairfield Community Foundation event three years ago.
“It’s exciting being able to engaged with folks who actually are veterans, it’s interesting to see their thoughts,” said Valerius, whose father was a tail gunner in the Army Air Corps in World War II.
And Valerius, who has lived in the township for 10 years, believes this will give the growing area an identity, like many other neighboring communities have developed.
“I really feel we’re getting to the stage that Fairfield Twp. should kind of look at kind of having some identity,” he said.
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