Lima in Allen County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Veterans Freedom Flag Monument
Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, February 6, 2013
1. Veterans Freedom Flag Monument
The Veterans Freedom Flag Monument dedicated May 22, 2010 to Veterans who made the sacrifice for freedom around the world, those who currently serve in the military and those who will serve in the future.
Built entirely through the donations of men and women who understand the true cost of freedom they enjoy every day.
Erected 2010 by UAW Local 2075 Veterans Committee.
Topics. This monument and memorial is listed in these topic lists: Labor Unions • Military • Patriots & Patriotism.
Location. 40° 42.483′ N, 84° 7.773′ W. Marker is in Lima, Ohio, in Allen County. Memorial is on Buckeye Road, half a mile west of South Dixie Highway, on the left when traveling west. Monument is located adjacent to/immediately west of the entrance to the Joint Manufacturing Systems Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1191 Buckeye Road, Lima OH 45804, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Veterans Freedom Flag Monument (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Veterans Freedom Flag Monument (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Veterans Freedom Flag Monument
this page online
More about this monument. The following text is from a brochure received at the Allen County Historical Museum
History of the Monument
In 2001, the UAW Local 2075 Veterans Committee decided to thank the Veterans of Ohio and the rest of America for their service. George McManus, a Millwright and U.S. Navy Veteran, produced a small, flat piece of cardboard with five vertical strips of paper on it, that composed the American flag. The committee formalized the ideas and commissioned artist, Jerold Hill of Perrysburg, Ohio, to paint the concept of the monument. Ground breaking took place in 2004. The monument was dedicated on May 22, 2010.
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, July 18, 2015
2. Veterans Freedom Flag Monument Marker
Located in the rear of the monument at the base of the middle pillar
Facts about the Monument
To recreate the American flag, the monument is made up of 5 twenty foot pillars of tiles. Each red, white or blue tile called a "brick plate" has engraved on it the name of a veteran, current service person or people who just want to say thanks to our veterans for their freedom.
The 5 columns represent the 5 branches of the Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard.
The 5 pine trees behind the monument also represent our ever-ready Armed Forces
There are 64 boulders in the monument landscape that represent the 64 wars and conflicts in which the United States has been involved.
There are small amounts of soil collected from the major battlefields of the 64 wars and conflicts buried in the monument. Note: not all soil has been collected. This is an ongoing process.
The wars in which America have fought in Europe are represented by a small field of poppies.
There are tall grasses in the landscape representing the jungle wars that America has fought.
This monument is the largest stationary flag of its type in the United States.
The oldest project volunteer was 87 years old and the youngest was 7 years old.
Volunteers built this monument during temperatures ranging from
Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, February 6, 2013
3. Veterans Freedom Flag Monument
The location of the POW flag flying near the monument symbolizes that although not within our reach, these brave man and women are always in our thoughts and hearts. The will NEVER be forgotten.
Contact Information
For more information on the monument, to inquire on how you may purchase a brick plate or granite block, or just to make a donation to help maintain the monument, please contact the committee via:
1161 Buckeye Road
Lima, OH 45804
Phone: 419-221-7070
Or visit our website:
www.uawfreedomflag.com
Regarding Veterans Freedom Flag Monument. Although not visible in the photos, the area in front of the monument is paved with granite blocks engraved with names, places and dates.
Also see . . . Wikipedia article - In Flanders Fields. (Submitted on February 7, 2013, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama.)
Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, February 6, 2013
4. Veterans Freedom Flag Monument Marker
Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, February 6, 2013
5. Veterans Freedom Flag Monument Marker
Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, February 6, 2013
6. Veterans Freedom Flag Monument entrance
entrance sign on Buckeye Road.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 7, 2013, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. This page has been viewed 718 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 7, 2013, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. 2. submitted on July 18, 2015, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 7, 2013, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
