Flags recognize Ohioans lost in military action

ZANESVILLE - Gino Zimmer has seen how the Flags of Honor memorial touches people throughout Ohio for 13 years.

One story stands out in his mind where a woman was crying among the flags recognizing military from the Vietnam War.

Zimmer went to console her and asked her affiliation to the military. She said she didn't have one, she was simply looking for forgiveness as a protester.

It's those moving moments are why Zimmer and his wife, Lisa, continue this event, which started six months after they were notified their son, Spc. Nicholaus Zimmer, had been killed in Iraq on Memorial Day 2004.

The Flags of Honor memorial returned to Zanesville High School on Friday and recognizes Ohioans who have lost their lives in military action. The memorial will be in place through Sunday.

"It affects more than people with military connections," Zimmer said. "People without any connection take away things from this. It gives me faith in the American people, and it's great to see the camaraderie wherever we go."

Initially, the memorial started in 2004 as the Operation Iraqi Freedom Chopper Fund. It was a nonprofit with the mission to raise money to build a tribute World War II-style motorcycle that would tour the country and memorialize those who gave their life in the Armed Forces, according to information provided by the organization.

In 2005, it evolved into Flags of Honor after members of an American Legion Post in Lima set up an avenue of flags to honor a local Marine battalion that had suffered heavy losses during battles in the Middle East. Other communities expressed interest in such a display, which spurred the organization’s change in mission.

This year, more than 300 people will be remembered, including nine between Muskingum, Perry and Morgan counties.

Ohio remains the only state to have a traveling Flags of Honor, though there are talks about making a permanent location in Central Ohio, noted Bud Johnson.

"There's 300 young heroes to be remembered," said Johnson, who is one of the organizers. "This allows people to show their appreciation for those who served."

Zimmer knows Zanesville has been an important stop and is glad the city continues to welcome the memorial.

There are 12 more stops for the memorial in the state this year.

"Muskingum County continues to show the love and respect these soldiers deserve," Zimmer said. "There's places I refuse to return to out of their disrespect. There are also places I can't wait to get back to, and Zanesville is one of them."

bhannahs@zanesvilletimesrecorder.com

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Twitter: @brandonhannahs

Locals being recognized at the ceremony

Gavin Neighbor, CPL U.S. Army

Lester Kinney, SSG U.S. Army

Todd Godwin, CPL U.S.M.C.

Brad Harper, SGT U.S.M.C.

Curtis Mitchell, SSG U.S. Army

David Armstrong, CPL U.S. Army

Scott Carney, MSG U.S. Army

Daniel Miller, SFC U.S. Army

Kyle Norris, SPC U.S. Army

The names of NicholausZimmer, Richard Morgan (SSG U.S. Army), Allen Nolan (SPC U.S. Army) and Kenneth Butler (PFC U.S. Army) will also be read.