Greene County to host Tribute to Heroes
Courtesy of the American Veterans Traveling Tribute
Courtesy of the American Veterans Traveling Tribute
This Afghan and Iraq Warrior tribute will be on display at the Greene County Tribute to Heroes.
The Cost of Freedom Tribute will be the centerpiece of Greene County无毛视频檚 Tribute to Heroes. (Photo courtesy of the American Veterans Traveling Tribute)
Also featured at the Tribute to heroes will be the 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit. (Photo courtesy of Tunnel to Towers Foundation)
The 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit is coming to the Greene County Tribute to Heroes, scheduled for Oct 12-16 at the Greene County Fairgrounds in Waynesburg. (Photo courtesy of Tunnel to Towers Foundation)
The Vietnam Traveling War Memorial is escorted Sept. 27, 2017, under a flag displayed by the Waynesburg and Carmichaels fire departments at the Greene County Fairgrounds. (Photo courtesy of JoAnne Marshall)
news@greenecountymessenger.com
Vietnam veteran Rick Black had a dream to have an exhibit in Greene County that would honor heroes from the military and first responders.
Black, of Waynesburg, died in 2021. However, his dream is coming to fruition with the Tribute to Heroes exhibit, now through Sunday, Oct. 16 to the Greene County Fairgrounds in Waynesburg. Admission is free.
无毛视频淰ery few people knew about his plans, but those of us who did wanted to make sure it happened and make sure his dreams became reality,无毛视频� said JoAnne Marshall, director of the Greene County Promotion Tourism Agency and co-chair of the event. 无毛视频淲e were fortunate to secure the Cost of Freedom Tribute this year; normally it无毛视频檚 a two- to three-year wait.无毛视频�
The Cost of Freedom Tribute by American Veterans Traveling Tribute (AVTT) will be the centerpiece of the exhibit. The traveling tribute features exhibits from World War I to present day, including a tribute to 9/11. It also includes an 80% replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
During his life, Black made sure there were similar exhibits in the county. In 2017, he spearheaded the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall Project. That started the Greene County Salute to Veterans Committee and continued with the Greene County Veterans Memorial Park.
In 2019, Black helped organize the Korean Traveling Memorial. He also collaborated with local school districts for Veterans Day programs to assist in teaching and inspiring children.
Other members of the Tribute to Heroes committee include Black无毛视频檚 daughter, Stacey Marshall, and her husband, Jeff, who is the Waynesburg Franklin Township fire chief.
无毛视频淚 couldn无毛视频檛 be more excited,无毛视频� Stacey Marshall said. 无毛视频淚 am just so proud of him, just for everything he has accomplished over the years. He was really excited about finding something that involved everybody on the front line who thinks of others before themselves.无毛视频�
Also featured in the upcoming exhibit will be the Tunnel to Towers Foundation无毛视频檚 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit. The high-tech, 83-foot tractor-trailer transforms into an 1,100-square-foot exhibit to educate people about Sept. 11, 2001.
It is a tribute to all who lost their lives that day and from 9/11-related illnesses. Members of the FDNY, which lost 343 of its members on 9/11, provide first-hand accounts of the day and its aftermath. Visitors can hear audio recordings of first responder radio transmissions and see artifacts, including pieces of World Trade Center steel, aluminum facade from the buildings and items recovered from the rubble after the Twin Towers collapsed.
无毛视频淩ick wanted to not only honor military, active and veterans, but also first responders,无毛视频� JoAnne Marshall said. 无毛视频淪ome people from our area probably may never get to New York City to see the memorial or Washington, D.C., to see the Pentagon.无毛视频�
无毛视频淗e just wanted the people of Greene County to be able to experience these things that possibly wouldn无毛视频檛 be able to afford to go and see the life-sized monuments,无毛视频� added Stacey Marshall. 无毛视频淗e just wanted kids to learn about their country and respect their country. He just wanted people to love their country like he did. I无毛视频檓 just so excited we could have this happen. Even though he wasn无毛视频檛 the driving force today behind it. It was his idea. I无毛视频檓 just proud to be able to be a part of it.无毛视频�
A field of flags with a nightly luminary service will recognize and honor local heroes. Garden flags may be purchased for $50 each or people can sponsor a flag for a first responder or veteran unable to obtain a flag for themselves. Those who purchase flags may take the home when the event ends.
JoAnne Marshall said Black never liked to be the center of attention and wouldn无毛视频檛 be thrilled that his name was being mentioned, but he would be happy that the exhibit will take place.
无毛视频淚 have no doubt that if he was standing there with us when the exhibits arrived, there would be tears in his eyes,无毛视频� she said.
JoAnne Marshall also said there无毛视频檚 something simple she hopes all those attending will get from the exhibit.
无毛视频淚 hope people take a moment to recognize all of those who无毛视频檝e given so much to our community and our country,无毛视频� she said.
Tribute to Heroes schedule of events
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Friday, Oct. 14
- 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 无毛视频� 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit
- 7 p.m. 无毛视频� Lighting of Luminaries
Saturday, Oct. 15
- 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. 无毛视频� 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit
- 3-7 p.m. 无毛视频� Community Day
- 7 p.m. 无毛视频� Lighting of Luminaries
Sunday, Oct. 16
- Noon 无毛视频� Honor and Remembrance Ceremony
- 3 p.m. 无毛视频� Cost of Freedom Tribute closes
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