The Roll of Honor recognizes local soldiers
Local historian, the late Norris F. Schneider, in his book, "Muskingum County Men and Women in World War II," lists 9,053 residents and former residents who served during the war. Of those, 265 lost their lives while serving their country.
In 1942, the Zanesville Publishing Company, owner of the Times Recorder and the Signal, wanted to develop a lasting tribute to the soldiers from this area.
A Times Recorder article dated Dec. 12, 1942 stated: “...The Times Recorder and Signal have made arrangements for the permanent recording of the names of all men and women serving in the armed forces, who make their homes in Southeastern Ohio. To this end a book has been prepared especially for these papers, and made of the most durable materials obtainable, with pages considerably larger than average newspaper size.”
With alphabetical tabs, it would contain from 250 to 300 pages. Following a guest register was a section for those who had lost their lives while serving their country. Then came the main pages: “Each page consists of five columns, the first headed, 'Name,' the second, 'Branch of Service,' the third, 'Names of Parents, Wife or Husband,' and the other two columns are for addresses,” the TR reported.
The article continued: “The book will be placed in the lobby of the Zanesville Publishing Company Building, South Fourth Street, where relatives of those in service may call to inscribe the names. The only requirement is that the person signing must be a member of the family of the person in service and that the one honored must be a bonafide serviceman or (service) woman and must be a resident of Southeastern Ohio.”
Several civic leaders praised the Honor Roll Book. Mayor Tom V. Moorehead said: “I think it is a magnificent idea. A book to perpetuate the memory of our boys in service is a project noble in purpose and magnificent in scope.”
P. C. Dilcher, commander of Post 29 of the American Legion, stated: “I don't think we can pay too much honor to the families who have sons and daughters in the service of our country. A Roll of Honor Book in which to inscribe the names of our children in service deserves our support.”
Before citizens were given an opportunity to sign the rolls, a special dedication was held. A Times Recorder article dated Jan. 8, 1943 stated: “...the volume will make its debut in formal ceremonies to be held in front of the offices of the Zanesville Publishing Company..., Saturday, January 16, and city officials, men of America's fighting forces, heads of patriotic organizations, and state officers will be present to give the Roll of Honor a rousing sendoff. Lieutenant Governor Paul M. Herbert will deliver the dedicatory address, and will formally open the book, signing as a guest registrar. There will be patriotic music, an eye-filling arrangement of color, fitting tributes to our men and women on the fighting fronts, and the signing of the first names in the book for future generations to see and honor.”
Citizens were given adequate time to sign the book: “You may sign the Roll of Honor in the lobby of the Zanesville Publishing Company Building any weekday between the hours of 10 a. m. and 6 p. m., anytime after the dedication ceremonies. In approximately two weeks, or as soon as the committee is assured everyone has had an opportunity to sign, the book will be taken on a tour of Southeastern Ohio, stopping at centrally located points for signatures.”
On Jan. 9 the dedication plans were slightly changed: “With interest increasing every day in Southeastern Ohio's new Roll of Honor, it has been found necessary to change the site of the dedication ceremonies to the courthouse esplanade, instead of on South Fourth Street as originally planned, members of the committee in charge announced yesterday. Almost every family in Zanesville has at least one member in the service, it was explained, and it is thought so many people will wish to attend the ceremonies as to create a traffic problem.”
The Times Recorder, then and now a morning paper, listed the program for the Jan. 16: “Program for dedication ceremonies of the Southeastern Ohio Roll of Honor at the courthouse this afternoon: Patriotic music. Invocation, Capt. S. E. Johnson. Songs, 'My Own America,' (Wrubel); 'This is My Country,' (Jacobs); Girl Scout Glee Club. Presentation and Acceptance of Roll of Honor. 'God Bless America,' community sing, led by P. C. Dilcher. Introduction of Speaker. Address, Lieutenant Governor Paul M. Herbert. 'The Star-Spangled Banner.'”
That evening the Signal detailed the afternoon's events. The Lt. Governor said, in part: “In years to come, as we leaf through this volume, we shall thank God for the boys who are fighting tyranny in the present world conflict. To those of you who have lost a son, you must be comforted to know that they have not died in vain, for they have given their lives that we and all the world may enjoy the fruits of freedom.” He then asked his audience to “...keep this America worthy so that when victory finally comes, we will be able to rebuild a greater America, to the end that the men whose names are in this book will not have served in vain.”
Joe Rathbun, a Times Recorder columnist, stated: “... men from Southeastern Ohio have always been known as fighting men-they have served their country and served it well whenever the call has gone out- they were with Jackson at New Orleans, with Zachary Taylor in the Mexican War, and with Pershing in France.”
The Roll of Honor is housed in a glass-covered display case on the second floor of the John McIntire Library. It serves as a reminder of the brave and patriotic men and women of this area who answered their nation's call.
Lewis LeMaster is a retired teacher of the Zanesville area.
This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: The Roll of Honor recognizes local soldiers
