Regional roundup: Freedom Flag Wall a ‘thank you’ to vets

LIMA - The pillars are standing, waiting for their paint.

Now all the Freedom Flag Wall at the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center, located on Buckeye Road, in Lima, needs is that finishing touch to complete the thank you to those who served their country.

"In the past 232 years, 43 million people have served their country," said Greg Gebolys, chairman of the United Auto Workers' veterans committee.

The idea started in 2002, with bids accepted in 2003 and the land leased in 2004. The land is leased by General Dynamics from the U.S. government and from Norfolk and Southern Railroad. The wall is outside of the plant's entrance for public access. The wall faces east for sunlight to hit it in the morning. It will also have lights for evening viewing.

"The Freedom Flag Wall is the biggest man-made flag wall in the world," said Mary Gause, public relations representative for the committee. The wall stands 25 feet high and is 36 feet long.

Money is still needed to complete the project. The committee hopes to have the project completed by the end of this year, but that depends on how long it will take to raise the money needed. Once completed, the wall will be turned over to the Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District. A perpetual maintenance fund of $1,500 per year will be maintained to service this monument.

The concrete platform in front of the wall is enough concrete to hold a full-size tank. There are brick plates and granite block pavers surrounding the platform. These pavers can be purchased for $100 to $1,000 donations and can bear the name of a veteran or a salute to them.

The wall will be computerized as well. A person need only type in a name, and that veteran's name and branch of service will come up.

Emblems will be cemented under the flag from each branch of service.

Vials of dirt from the areas of war and conflicts will be buried behind one of the pillars as well.

"There have been 51 wars and conflicts that the U.S. has fought," said Gebolys, and the committee hopes to obtain dirt from each of these areas.

Currently the committee has dirt vials from Iraq, Afghanistan, Gettysburg, Fort Meigs from the War of 1812, the battle field dirt from the last battle of the Revolutionary War and from Iwo Jima. Dirt from other areas are forthcoming, Gebolys said.

"Why not here in Lima? This is a great place next to a facility that has built vehicles for the United States' government since 1943. I am thrilled that this is right here in Lima," Gebolys said. "For all that they have done, this is the least that we can do."

For more information on the Freedom Flag wall, go to www.freedomflagwall.com.