Veterans honored at ninth annual Appreciation Day at Ashland County Airport on Saturday
ASHLAND - Vietnam veteran Stan Hartzler was "just watching" as the UH-1 Huey Greyhound military helicopter from the Yankee Air Museum took off in a series of flights from Ashland County Airport on Saturday morning.Visitors to the ninth annual Ashland Veterans Appreciation Day could pay $125 apiece for a 10-minute ride on the historic aircraft; but instead of being a passenger, Hartzler relived the past.An Army medic serving in Vietnam from December of 1967 to January of 1969, he vividly recalled the rapid whirring of the blades, the whipping of the wind and "the dirt flying around" as helicopters brought in the wounded.
"Too many people don't appreciate America," said Hartzler, who was pleased with the day honoring veterans."I was really touched by the (American) flags," he said, lining the entrance to the event.
Chief pilot Jim Wise, an Army veteran who has flown low observation vehicles, a Huey and a Cobra, said this particular helicopter is itself a Vietnam veteran, having "spent four years in Vietnam and survived."Although it was rebuilt three times for battle damage, "This is one that made it home"Wise said one passenger at a previous event "got off tears streaming down his face." For some, their last flight in a Huey was on a stretcher.
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Jenny Whitmore, co-chairperson of the planning committee with Pam Mowry, said she took her 87-year-old father, Boyd Hill, a Korean War veteran, and her brother, Jason Hill, a Gulf War veteran, on one of its flights."It was amazing," Whitmore said, and brought back memories for her brother of jumping out of planes.The flight made Whitmore think, "Glory to God on a day like this.""We are really thrilled" she said, to have the opportunity.Zach Collins and his son, Daniel, 11, of Nova, were two of Saturday's passengers."The view was awesome," Daniel said"I'm sure we'll do it again," his dad said, adding his son, going into the sixth grade in New London Local Schools, "is really getting into World War II."
Accident while setting up the fireworks hurts worker and cancels fireworks show
While the UH-1 Huey Greyhound was a highlight of many highlights, the event ended earlier than expected when a worker of the company from Pennsylvania putting on the fireworks show was hurt in an accident during its setup around 7 p.m. and had to be transported by Nankin EMS to University Hospitals Samaritan Medical Center to then go by medical helicopter to another hospital, canceling the scheduled 9:30 p.m. fireworks, according to Mowry.
Another highlight was Charlie Rutledge with the Liberty Aviation Museum bringing a restored World War II torpedo bomber to the event."Most people don't realize how big it is," Rutledge said, adding, "This is the real thing."Rutledge talked about the experience at a Port Clinton reunion of 22 World War II crew members, "a lot of (whom) hadn't even seen one since 1945."There were "a lot of tears," he said.The "biggest thing" now is sharing the plane with family members of veterans, Rutledge said.
"That's what we're all about … continuing to share the story," he added.
Michael Schoenian of Ashland, has attended the Veterans Appreciation Day every year; and at one event years ago was honored to speak with a veteran of the Battle of the Bulge.
"It's great to honor our vets — men and women who have served this county to keep it free," he said."It's great to meet other people who have served," said Schoenian, who who went to boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina.
"Once a Marine, always a Marine," Schoenian added.
Bittle, Romanchuck, Kick and Miller speak at opening ceremoney
"Our county is a veterans' county," said Ashland County Commissioner Denny Bittle at the opening ceremony.Also part of the event introduction was Ohio Sen. Mark Romanchuk, who told the crowd gathered for the ceremony — featuring a flag raising and Aerohio skydivers parachuting with American flags — he was honored to be among "all of you who have served and sacrificed."State Rep. Darrell Kick said legislators will continue striving "to make Ohio one of the greatest places for veterans to live."
"You are the men and women of the United States military," said Ashland Mayor Matt Miller, describing them as a diverse group of people who have risked life and limb for "the freedoms we enjoy that have always come at a price."Unique to America, Miller said, is taking up arms in all corners of the globe only in defense of freedom.The day-long event also featured music, military memorabilia and food vendors.
This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Veterans Appreciation Day honors vets at Ashland County Airport
