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

 

 A list of our Falls Run Wall of Honor Members can be accessed by clicking this link.

 

 

  In 2004, Scott Hysler, our first Activities Director, started collecting names of Falls Run veterans in an effort to develop a monument at the Community Center to honor our veterans.

 

  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 homeowner of Falls Run.

 

  The first plaque, with 150 name plates, was ordered from Crown Trophy in Fredericksburg. Bob Gilbert approached Dennis Ouelette, 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 Ouelette 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 Falls Run 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 data base, 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, Don Shiffert presented the American Legion POW & MIA ceremony, 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.

 

  Our 2007 Veterans Day Observance included numerous activities at the center preceding the November 11 ceremony. Ann Jones, our Activities Director, suggested, early in the year, a collaboration between the Falls Run Players and Falls Run Singers to produce a USO Show to be performed on the eve of Veterans Day.  Actually two shows were performed, a Friday night dress rehearsal, attended by family members and some residents who could not make the main event, and the main show and dance on Saturday night to a packed ballroom. Special articles in the Gazette highlighted some of our veteran’s memorable moments, Arlington and Veteran’s Cemeteries, and our Wall of Honor.  Pictures were posted in the billiards room of several veterans as they served in WWII, Korea and Viet Nam wars, and the display of pictures of family members currently serving in the military was enhanced.  The POW/MIA and service standards were purchased for permanent display at our Wall of Honor display and used to adorn our center entrance as people arrived for the Veterans Day Observance.  A red carpet and stanchions were placed on the outside of the entrance doors. 

 

  The program included the Army JROTC Color Guard Team from Colonial Forge High School. MC duties were provided by committee chair Bob Brown.  Our guest speaker was Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Michael Martin, Maintenance Superintendent, Presidential Logistics Manager, Andrews Air Force Base, Washington D.C.  Music selections were provided by the Falls Run Singers and guest soloist Stephen Dittmer.  Attendance again was over the 200 mark and 4 nicely decorated cakes and drinks were offered after the ceremony.

 

  Originally, expenses of maintaining the “Wall” – adding new member name plates 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.  Since then Ann Jones, our Activities Director, has supported our Veterans Day Ceremonies with the refreshments, decorations and various other expenses to help make our veterans’ day observance memorable ones.  She has also helped with the expense of purchasing flags and additional plaques.