Ohio Flags of Honor Memorial Volunteer

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – The Ohio Flags of Honor Memorial is a way for people to say thank you to those who lost their lives in the war on terror.

However to Ted Ridel of Ironton Ohio, the Flags of Honor are a way for him to keep giving. Ridel is a Vietnam Veteran who served nine years in the air force, one year in Vietnam and three years in England.

“As you know the Vietnam veterans came home to being spit on, being called baby killers,” Ridel said. “So now when the military comes home from any conflict war they will never be treated like that.”

Ridel met President, Gino Zimmer eight years ago when he first saw the Ohio Flags of Honor Memorial and since then he’s traveled to shows to assist and watch veterans come and see their fellow soldiers flags.

“It’s very emotional for them and a lot of times you’ll have them come up here at night by their self,” Ridel said. “That seems to be a veterans thing that they like to do to come up there all by their self. They can talk to their brother, pay their respects to them, and they enjoy the solidarity of the quietness and all.”

All 295 flags represent Ohio’s fallen veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan. The state flags boarding the veteran flags represent all the fallen soldiers for those states.

Photo By: Megan Heady

President Zimmer accepts seven pictures to be emailed in of a fallen soldier to be placed on the flag’s pole free of charge. For those who’d like to send pictures in email DGL_SL81@yahoo.com or call 614-980-7780 for further instructions.

The Ohio Flags of Honor Memorial will be on display until 1:00 P.M. on June 11, 2017 at Zanesville High School located on Blue Avenue.