The challenge of building a Hillsdale County Veteran of the Year Monument was put to the general membership of the Jonesville American Legion Post 195 in the winter of 2015. The volunteers to serve on that committee were Kathy Keil, Tom Warzecha, Walt Drake and Steve Tulloch. The newly formed group went to a Hillsdale County Fair Board meeting, and secured the land and the approval to construct a monument.
From the there the crew narrowed to Walt and Steve and design work began. With a very rough concept in mind the two met with Troy Balser at Cambria Tools and presented him with their proposal. After some reflection Troy asked if Walt and Steve would be interested in working with his son Dominik Balser who needed an Eagle Scout project to complete his Scouting experience. Walt and Steve agreed and a friendship was born.
Dominik did a tremendous job with his first task, finding a field stone large enough to put a plaque on it. Eventually a stone was selected and Dominik made all the arrangements to get the stone to the location at the fairgrounds. Before he could get the rock there, he had a concrete pad built. After which the rock was emplaced and then the plaque installed.
The quote on the stone was the result of Steve and his wife Ronda tossing around a few ideas.
While the rock was being completed the site was graded and eventually the monument before you, was put together on site. None of this could have happened without Dominik’s dedication, perseverance and commitment and Troy’s supervision.
The monument is a scaled-down representation of the bow of a U.S. Navy vessel. This was selected as it represented the way most of our nation’s soldiers, sailors and service members deployed to war. The number, 195 on the bow, represents the men and women of Jonesville American Legion Post 195 and the tremendous effort they put forth in raising money for this project. Without their efforts none of this would have been possible.
Each recipient of the Hillsdale County Veteran of the Year is now immortalized with their respective names engraved on a 30mm projectile. This projectile was chosen for its size and its representation of today’s modern U.S. Military.
That was essentially the end of Phase I of the monument. It was dedicated on September 24, 2018. This was a Monday, and is traditionally Veterans Day at the Hillsdale County Fair. In attendance that day were Congressman Tim Walberg, Michigan State Senator Mike Shirkey and Representative Eric Leutheuser.
Phase II started shortly thereafter. This phase consisted of building a kiosk that would house a computer. The computer was an opportunity to provide a short biography of the Hillsdale County of the Year recipients. Additionally, there was some landscaping that needed improving and finally to tie the whole project together was the patio of bricks.
A young man, Jacob Brandon stepped forward and volunteered to help in the development and completion of this phase of the project. Jacob needed a project for his Eagle Scout award and he was added to the team. The summer of 2019, pylons and rope were added to the monument giving it the feel of being in port. The brick sales were happening and approximately 200 engraved bricks were added to surround the monument. The kiosk was being built and tragedy struck. Just prior to the 2019 Hillsdale County Fair, Walt Drake suddenly passed and it took the team some time to regroup.
The bricks that are located around the monument are engraved with the names of men and women who have served honorably in the United States Military.
September 28, 2020 is the target date for completion of Phase II. Because of the Coronavirus pandemic, The Michigan Governor, has placed restrictions on crowd gatherings indoors and out. Therefore the 2020 Hillsdale County Fair has been cancelled. Our hope is to have the kiosk operational and available for the citizens of Hillsdale County to enjoy.
This has been a project that has exceeded all expectations and we, as a community are so very fortunate to have it displayed among us.
A very special thanks to all those who have made this project possible and more importantly, to all the men and women who have served this nation we say THANK YOU FOR A JOB WELL DONE!