The 2011 dedication ceremony was on Saturday May 21. There was a 45 minute program at the old cemetery followed by a motorcycle escort to the  the New Cemetery where there was a 15 minute program.

 

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PROGRAM FOR THE 2011 CEREMONY

The keynote speaker was Calvin Smith, who is a Recreation Therapist at NOPH. Calvin is a vet himself, and went on to get his masters degree after he left service. He is also the leader of the Partners in Recovery program at the hospital. This brings the patients at NOPH together with people in recovery from the community. Calvin also had a family member with mental illness who was hospitalized for years in Cincinnati.

 

In addition, Candace Renner from NAMI Toledo and Dr. Mychail Scheramic of Northwest Ohio Psychiatric Hospital (NOPH) also spoke.

 

We had two VFW Posts carrying the wreath. Northwood VFW Post 2984 who led the Veterans section of the ceremony included a 21 gun salute as part of their Service. The Commander of Maumee Valley VFW Post 2510 also said a few words.

 

Fox Toledo ran a short piece on the Memorial ceremony in their nightly newscast.

 

As with last year, a motorcycle escort between the two cemeteries was provided by the Patriot Guard Riders.

 

The ceremony at the new cemetery was followed by a reception at NOPH on the corner of Detroit and Arlington.

 

If you want to see photos of the memorial at the old cemetery, click here; for the new cemetery memorial, click here. Thanks to Aretta Adams and Mike Willeman for taking photographs on the day.

 

We would like to thank all involved with the 2011 ceremony, especially our speakers, the veterans and riders who took part in the service, Jane Weber for putting the program together and the Thomas Wernert Center for providing the food at the reception.

 

2011 Memorial Dedication Ceremony