Enter the chapel - View the photos Van Wert Veterans Album Memorial
Courthouse, US-127
Van Wert, Van Wert County
Many people have asked if I have a 'favorite' memorial. The answer is no, they all pretty much rank the same to me. To go out on a tour of this nature and look for the 'best' memorial would defeat the purpose of the trip. That said, I think I have found one that has really touched me because of the personal nature of the presentation. The Van Wert Veterans Album memorial is certainly unique.
The building is a small scale replica of an Army Chapel. It was designed and created by the World War I veterans of American Legion Post 178 using a collection of over 600 photos from the Van Wert Country Sheriff, F. Roy Shaffer. Shaffer served as county Sheriff twice; once from 1930 to 1934 and then again from 1940 through 1952. Prior to his first term as Sheriff he was as agent of the Mercantile Protective Agency.
One can only imagine why Shaffer had gone to such great lengths to gather a photo of every man and woman that went to service during World War II, but his effort was the impetus for this wonderful memorial to an entire generation. The photos were carefully mounted by the organizing committee of the American Legion and their pride in those images that are smiling toward us from six or seven decades past is evident.
Harman points to photo of father
The small building doesn't offer much room to move around, but that lends to the charm of the display. The space invites the visitor to bend over and
closely look at each photo in an effort to really see and understand the subject. I seen the wan smile of young men posing for recruit training
portraits, eager pilots are grinning from the anticipation of their next adventure, and I notice the delicate fingers of Army and Navy nurses who have yet to face the horrors of battlefield wounds. Younger brothers pose with elder brothers, as do sisters and there are one or two that look as if they are father and son pairs, or maybe uncle and newphew. The collection is full of the love and admiration this generation of youngsters showed to their community.
Smile after smile, I am given a slight glimpse into their lives. They stand in front of the barracks, next to military machinery, and some in front of the family home. I wonder how many of them made it home unscathed and with the same smile?
I am joined by Van Wert County Veterans Service Officer Keith Harman, himself an Army veteran of the VietNam war. We talk about the strong roots of military service in Van Wert and he agrees this is a special place. He brings me over and shows me photos of his father and his uncle. He explains the 'album' needs to be expanded, but bureaucratic red tape is holding up the project. A single state inspector refuses to give up a Saturday or Sunday to be on site when the local National Guard unit is available to complete the work. We both express our feelings that some people, 'just don't get it!'
So, if you are around Van Wert and want to see an awesome display of pride in a job well done - it's here at the Veterans Album.
