“It shows our appreciation of our armed forces,” Drury said. “In some circumstances, they gave their lives.”
The region has a wide variety of memorials in various townships and cities, including the memorial in Miami Twp. For example, according to the Montgomery County Veterans Service Commission’s website, there are at least 18 memorials around that county.
Throughout the Miami Valley, there are memorials in many communities. Since the memorial in Miami Twp. was dedicated in 2008, memorials have been erected in other communities.
Last year, a new memorial was dedicated in Springboro. In 2016, Kettering dedicated a new veterans memorial in Delco Park.
“There’s almost one in every single community,” Mark Landers, the executive director of the Montgomery County Veterans Service Commission, said.
Landers, who is a veteran, said memorials signify citizens’ support for veterans, and mean a great deal to those who have served.
“It makes you feel good that your fellow citizens support you,” Landers said.
Memorials aren’t all Montgomery County has to offer veterans. Many communities also offer other services and events. In Miami Township, a veterans breakfast is held every September, Drury said.
The Miami Twp. event, which is being put on by the Community Foundation of Miami Township, will kick off at 9 a.m. Saturday with a walk to the memorial from about a block away. Attendees are encouraged to meet at 8:45 at the green space by Skyline Chili on Kingsridge Drive near the Miami Township Government Center.
The event’s keynote speaker will be David Shortt, the curator of the Veterans Memorial Museum in Germantown. Shortt, who is a veteran, will also be receiving special honors from the township.
The U.S. Army Reserve Color Guard will perform at the event. Other attendees at the event will include State Rep. Niraj Antani, R-Miamisburg, Drury said.
Miami Valley war and veterans memorials
- Soldiers' Monument, Main St. & Monument Ave., Dayton, OH
- Fairborn Veterans Memorial, center of Central and Main Streets, Fairborn, OH
- Beavercreek Veterans Memorial, North Fairfield Rd. at Fairwood Drive, Beavercreek, OH
- Springboro Veterans Memorial, Gardner Drive and Village Park Blvd, Springboro, OH
- Memorial Hall, 125 E. First St., Dayton, OH
- Dayton National Cemetery, 4100 W. Third St., Dayton, OH
- Germantown Veterans Memorial, Walnut St. & Warren St., Germantown, OH
- Centerville Veterans Memorial, 255 W Spring Valley Rd., Centerville, OH
- Miami Township Veterans Memorial, 2700 Lyons Rd., Miamisburg, OH
- Victory Oak Knoll Memorial, Edge of the Community Golf Course at 2917 Berkley Ave., Kettering, OH
- Gold Star Mothers World War II Memorial, Riverside Park on Edwin C. Moses Blvd Just North of West Third St.
- North Dayton Patriots Memorial, Keowee & Valley St., Dayton, OH
- Ohio Korean War Memorial, East of Riverside Dr. Bridge, Dayton, OH
- Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park, S. Patterson & W. Stewart St., Dayton, OH
- City of Vandalia Veterans Memorial, 1111 Stonequarry Rd., Vandalia, OH
- Civil War Memorial, 118 Woodland Ave., Dayton, OH
- Trotwood Madison High School War Memorial, 4440 N. Union Rd., Trotwood, OH
- Miamisburg War Memorial, Library Park, 35 S. Fifth St. Miamisburg, OH
- City of West Carrollton Veteran's Memorial - Evergreen Cemetery, 401 N. Miami Ave., West Carrollton, OH.
- 93rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment Memorial, Corner of Main St. and Stewart St.
- City of Union Veterans Memorial, 116 N. Main St., Union, OH
SOURCE: The Montgomery County Veterans Commission
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