Monroe County History: Veterans memorials honor service, sacrifice
Having profiled city of Monroe veterans sites in the past, here are some of the other veterans memorial sites in Monroe County.
The Luna Pier War Memorial, located on Harold Drive close to North First Street in Luna Pier, includes Erie and LaSalle veterans as well. It was erected in 2016. These veterans are honored there:
• World War II: Arthur Geyman, killed in action (KIA), LaSalle, unknown date of death, Army
• Korea: James E. Yenor, KIA, Luna Pier, July 20, 1950, Army; Sterling Bushroe, prisoner of war (POW), Erie, unknown date of death, Air Force; Charles Schulz, KIA, LaSalle, Feb. 1, 1953, Marine; Clyde E. Knaggs, missing in action (MIA), Luna Pier, Dec. 2, 1950, Army; Donald McCord, KIA, Erie, June 24, 1951, Marine
• Vietnam: Albert F. Baird, KIA, Erie, Feb. 1, 1966, Army; Elliot R. Smith, KIA, Luna Pier, March 18, 1968, Marine; Richard Dusseau, KIA, LaSalle, March 5, 1969, Marine; David R. Miller, KIA, Erie, Sept. 5, 1967, Marine; Edward L. Munson, KIA, LaSalle, May 2, 1968, Army;
• Afghanistan: Dennis Miller, KIA, LaSalle, Nov. 10, 2004, Army
• Iraq: Nicholas J. Greer, KIA, Luna Pier, Oct. 7, 2005, Army
In Petersburg, the Civil War memorial can be found in Perry Park at the corner of Saline and East Walnut streets. Also, the Veterans Memorial is located adjacent and contains the inscription, “This monument is dedicated to those men and women from the Petersburg area who gave their services and lives in the defense of our country.”
The Dundee Veterans Memorial can be found on Riley Street with the inscription, “Lest we forget – The price of freedom." It honors the following servicemen and their respective wars and conflicts:
• World War I: Harry W. Bamm, Franklin E. Good, Edward E. Peebles
• World War II: Delmar W. Covell, Elvin E. Hartman, Virgil W. Hindbaugh, Frederick J. Lenz, Eugene E. Loreaux, Richard C. Moore, John E. Phillips, Vernon F. Wakefield
• Korea: Daniel J. Eyler
• Vietnam: James L. Bowman, Albert E. Dusseau, Larry G. Gray
• Global War On Terror: Christopher P. Messer
In Milan, the Veterans Wall – conceived by Milan residents Tom Dupuis and Michael Armitage and sponsored by the city of Milan – includes the Blue Star and World War II memorial. This wall is unique and includes the names of not only those who are deceased but anyone from Milan who has honorably served in the military. The Veterans Wall represents the only community in Monroe or Washtenaw counties to have such a comprehensive military tribute.
The Melvin C. Dye Memorial honors one of Carleton’s favorite sons. Located on North Dixie Highway, the inscription reads, “Melvin C. Dye, born May 22, 1947, a resident of Carleton, Michigan, served his country during the Vietnam War as an engineer with the 57th Assault Helicopter Company, 52nd Aviation Battalion of the United States Army. February 19, 1968, the UH-1H Huey helicopter – on which Staff Sergeant Dye had volunteered to help rescue a Special Forces team under fire in Dak Sut, Laos – was shot down. Although several crew members escaped the burning helicopter, Melvin's fate is unknown and he remains officially listed as 'Missing-in-Action' (MIA), Monroe County's only MIA.”
In Temperance, the Bedford Township Veterans Memorial, located on West Temperance Road is embedded in a rock with the inscription, “Dedicated to the veterans of Bedford Township.”
The Estral Beach Veterans Memorial in Newport, located in the park adjacent to the Estral Beach Village Hall at the intersection of Lakeview Boulevard and Park Avenue – on the right when traveling east on Lakeview – simply reads, “Veterans of All Wars,” and is adorned with a crucifix above the inscription.
Tom Adamich is president of Visiting Librarian Service, a firm he has operated since 1993. He also is project archivist for the Greening Nursery Co. and Family Archives and the electric vehicle awareness coordinator at Monroe County Community College.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Monroe County History: Veterans memorials honor service, sacrifice
