History of the Falls Run Wall of Honor and Veterans Day Observances

In 2004, Scott Hysler, our first Activities Director, started collecting names of Falls Run veterans to develop a Wall of Honor in the Community Center.

The project received a boost with a personal contribution of $300.00 by George Malhiot and the activation of a Falls Run Wall of Honor Committee, with George Malhoit, Bob Gilbert as chairman, and Bill Nosal.

The committee developed a plan to honor our veterans by placing their names on a series of plaques which would include their rank, military branch served at the time of discharge/retirement, and the inclusive years of service. There was no distinction made between active-duty, reserve, national guard or war time service and included those who served in the Merchant Marines and with U.S. allied military forces. The only restriction at the time was that the veteran must have been a resident of Falls Run.

The first plaque, with 150 name plates, was ordered from Crown Trophy in Fredericksburg. Bob Gilbert approached Dennis Quelette, the Del Webb-Pulte supervisor at the time, for a contribution toward the program.  Dennis agreed to pay for the first plaque.

On November 11, 2005, we had our first ceremony, with over 300 attendees.  Dennis Quelette made the dedication speech and unveiled the large plaque in the ballroom. Bob Gilbert acted as master of ceremonies. The program included an active duty guest speaker, the Colonial Forge High School JROTC Color Guard, and the FR Singers, who sang patriotic pieces and the service songs.  After the ceremony the attending veterans lined up, with their family members, to have their pictures taken with the plaque. Special decorated cakes and beverages were offered after.

Two new plaques were added in 2006 that brought veteran numbers to 270 names.  Gold stars were added to the engraving plates of those veterans who passed away. The original database, developed by Bill Nosal, was expanded by Doug Ryan to include pay grades to help us determine the varying ranks of each service member. Addresses, phone numbers, and number of years served were also added. Surviving family members, who remained in Falls Run after the death of their veteran spouses, were retained in the database so we could include them in future ceremonies.

Our 2006 program was attended by over 200 guests.  The Color Guard detail was provided by North Stafford High School and our guest speaker was Colonel Joseph Molofsky, USMC, Commanding Officer, Security Battalion, Marine Corps Base Quantico.  Committee Chairman George Malhiot provided the MC duties and the Falls Run Singers the patriotic songs. Refreshments were offered after the ceremony. A photo display, of Falls Run family members currently serving in the U.S. and allied armed forces, was developed by Joan Ryan and placed near the Wall of Honor.

Except for the original plaque, provided by Del Webb-Pulte, all other expenses of maintaining the “Wall” – adding new members and gold stars, providing the active duty photo display, and adding new plaques  have been out of pocket by committee members and a couple of donation requests. Although our Activity Directors have always supported our Veterans Day Ceremonies with the refreshments, decorations and various other expenses to help make our veterans’ day observance memorable ones, the expenses of printing programs, purchase and postage of invites to send to all of our Falls Run veterans, and various other displays and administrative items have been out of pocket.