Veterans memorial group aims to honor missing vets
John Poulson, seated, an Army Special Forces veteran, joins Millersburg monument committee members and veterans Jason Pennell, left and Jim Miller in checking out historical recording of Poulson’s uncle, John Lengacher, Jr., a World War II veteran who was killed in action and buried in France just prior to the Battle of the Bulge. Lengacher’s name was omitted from the new veterans memorial in Millersburg honoring Holmes County veterans who were either killed in action, missing in action or prisoners of war. The committee is now reaching out into the community to find any other veterans who are missing from the monument.
When the local community of United States military veterans got together and planned to build the newly erected monument on Glen Drive in Millersburg next to the Holmes County District Public Library, it was with the idea of honoring Holmes County veterans who were either killed in action, missing in action or prisoners of war.
In every sense, the monument was created to honor those who should not be overlooked for their dedication and service to their country.
Now thanks to one local veteran, they have begun a new effort to make sure no veteran is missing.
John Poulson, an Army Special Forces veteran, realized a special family member of his was missing from the list of recognized veterans on the memorial.
That missing veteran was PFC John Lengacher Jr., his uncle from Walnut Creek who was killed in action in France Oct. 24, 1944 during World War II while serving in a battle in Epinal, France.
For his service, Lengacher was awarded the Purple Heart and the Distinguished Service Cross.
Poulson said he notified the committee members who will add his name to the monument, but that got them thinking: what if there are more service members from Holmes County who should be honored on the monument who are missing?
According to Poulson his uncle was actually buried in France just prior to the Battle of the Bulge before his remains were eventually flown back to America several years later.
“Back then they didn’t have time to make a big fuss over every life lost in the war and send them back individually, they had to worry about that later,” Poulson said.
Poulson said having his uncle’s name added to the monument was important to him, but he said the bigger picture is that there may be others out there who have family members who belong on the honorees listed.
“Are there any others out there?” Poulson said. “In a way it’s almost cruel to leave even one name out and there’s not that many that we shouldn’t be able to get each and every one listed.”
Poulson said anyone who serves is basically signing a blank check to the United States of America to the amount of if need be, their very life.
People like Lengacher paid that sum in full.
Veteran’s monument committee member Jason Pennell said the idea of having any Holmes County veteran not listed on the monument who should be is something that the committee wants to eliminate.
“Hopefully this story will spark an interest throughout the community to notify us if they have a family members or friend missing from the monument, because we want to make sure every single veteran who served and deserves to be remembered here is honored,” Pennell said.
Pennell said there could well be World War II veterans out there who deserve to be honored, as well as other service members.
Pennell said that eventually they would like to accumulate photos and memorabilia of veterans to create a book or a website honoring these men even further.
“When you put a face to a name it gets more personal,” Pennell said.
According to memorial committee member Jim Miller, the push to raise funds to fulfill financial obligations to the erection of the monument is gaining ground, with just a little more than $13,000 needed to complete what has been done so far. He added that they will still need to raise funds for the additional landscaping.
“We’ve gone from the original cost of $97,000 down to $13,000 thanks to the support of the community,” Miller said. “We’ve seen such an incredible amount of support.”
One thing the committee didn’t want to do was cut corners on the monument, so they invested in finding the best possible quality for the monument.
“These service members who gave their lives for their country deserve the best,” Pennell said. “We didn’t want second quality for them out of respect, and that has taken money and time.”
Now with the project going on three years, much of the work is done, and the committee has created a beautiful place of reflection and gratitude to create a lasting tribute for not only those who served but for those who wish to honor their selflessness and sacrifice.
He said they are grateful for donors from the major donors to those donating $10 toward the cause, because it takes an entire community to provide the proper monument these veterans deserve.
The group now has a page on Facebook to share ongoing information about the Holmes County Ohio Veterans Memorial.
People can reach project managers Miller at 330-231-7144 and Pennell at 330-473-5016 for information or to donate, or donations can be sent directly to Holmes County Veterans at: 75 East Clinton Street, Suite 104, Millersburg Ohio 44654, written to “Holmes County Ohio Veterans Memorial.”