UAW Local 211

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Dedication

By Thom Kent, Former Veterans Committee Member

The building of the "Veterans Wall of Honor" (the Wall) here at UAW Local 211 was a labor of love. We can never do enough to honor those military veterans who risked so much to defend this great nation of ours. This Wall is a way to say "thank you" to our UAW Local 211 veterans for a job well done.

The veterans committee worked diligently deciding what design would be best suited for the area where the Wall was to hang. Actually, the committee had encouragement from our local union's executive board a year in advance to create the Veterans Wall of Honor. We started gathering names by writing articles for the Local 211 News and Powernews, the GM weekly publication. The criteria for having your name placed on the Wall was to be a UAW Local 211 member in good standing and be honorably discharged from the military, including members who have passed away.

It was very exciting as the Wall started to come together—names were engraved, decorative roping was placed around the outside trim, and the bronze insignias from the five branches of service were ready to mounted in place. Dennis "Hoss" Hohenbrink, a former member of the veterans committee, said: "I really enjoyed the building of the Wall as the days passed and things started to come together—wood, stain, and varnish. It was not just wood struck together any more; it took on a very deep meaning for me. It was very humbling to honor our veterans with this Wall. Placing the names on the Wall brought back a lot of good memories about the people that make up UAW Local 211. Some of the memories are pretty funny, laced with great friendships. And, of course, some memories are sad especially at the loss of a good co-worker. Many of the names are from the Vietnam era. I cannot help but think about the way the Vietnam Veterans were treated with disgust when returning home. Some of the people on this Wall have recently received the Order of the Silver Rose, a medal given to Vietnam Veterans exposed to Agent Orange. They well deserve this medal for the sacrifice they gave for their country."

Union brother Dennis Wenner, commented: "The Wall of Honor is really impressive to see. It has special meaning to me because the names of my two uncles and a cousin are on the Wall, and they are no longer with us. My father served in the Second World War, and his name is also on the Wall. I was amazed at the number of people I have worked with over the years and never knew many of them gave their time to keep America a free nation. The Wall is a proud addition to our union hall."

"Have you ever heard the saying: 'If you love your freedom, then thank a vet?''' This Wall is a small way to thank our veterans here at UAW Local 211. If it was not for the sacrifices made for us and for freedom, there would not be a UAW. Thank you to all the veterans who have served and to those that are serving now. Duty, Honor, Country," noted Matt Meyer, veterans committee member.

This Wall is just a small way of making known that there are still heroes walking, working, singing, playing and praying around us. Without these heroes—the veterans of our nation, we would not have the freedoms we all take for granted. The freedoms we enjoy are not free and take the sacrifice of people willing to give their life for us. We, as veterans, have a responsibility to keep educating the younger generation about the many sacrifices that have been made for our country's freedoms. It is our responsibility to keep the flag—the symbol of freedom, flying with pride. We have an obligation to teach future generations about "Duty, Honor, Country."

The dedication ceremony for the "Veterans Wall of Honor" was held on February 2 and 3, 2005, with guest speaker Lloyd Mahaffey, UAW Region 2B Director. It was a pleasure to have brother Mahaffey with us. It was emotional for me to pay tribute to my fellow veterans and to look out into the audience and see the pride and dignity these veterans have. Thank you for giving us the freedoms that no other country enjoys like we do. The next time you see the red, white and blue waving in the breeze remember that only through the sacrifice of your fellow man can this flag—the symbol of our freedom—forever fly free.

God Bless America!

Welcome Home to All Veterans of All Wars!

Freedom is Not Free!