By james art 
-
-
(Photo by Michelle Dillon) Kayla Ward, left, and her husband, Gary Ward, smile as they hold the Washington County Distinguished Service Award they received at the Washington County Veterans Hall of Fame induction ceremony Friday.
-
-
(Photo by Michelle Dillon) Marine veteran Gunnery Sgt. Ronald Morris, front left, receives the Chad D. Wright Memorial Award – Washington County Veteran of the Year from the family of Chad Wright as Washington County Veterans Service Officer Larry Proctor, back left, looks on during the Veterans Hall of Fame in Washington County induction ceremony on Friday.
(Photo by Michelle Dillon) Kayla Ward, left, and her husband, Gary Ward, smile as they hold the Washington County Distinguished Service Award they received at the Washington County Veterans Hall of Fame induction ceremony Friday.
Veterans and community members were honored Friday at Marietta College’s Dyson-Baudo Recreation Center during the 2024 Washington County Veterans Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
“The mission of the Washington County Veterans Hall of Fame is to honor and recognize distinguished men and women of Washington County who have served in the armed forces of the great nation with valor, distinguished service, extraordinary sacrifice,” County Veterans Affairs Commission Officer Tim Gillenwaters said. “After their service, they continued to contribute to their communities, state and nation.”
He said the inductees have performed extraordinary acts of volunteerism, advocacy, professional excellence, community service and generous efforts.
The keynote speaker was retired Air Force Col. Jason Knowlton, professor and community engagement coordinator at Marietta College. He shared how he learned about leadership in the Air Force from his parents as well.
“The people who are honored here tonight have demonstrated leadership that to me boils down to three things … the first is integrity,” Knowlton said. “The second is service to self, and the third is excellence in all that we do.”
(Photo by Michelle Dillon) Marine veteran Gunnery Sgt. Ronald Morris, front left, receives the Chad D. Wright Memorial Award – Washington County Veteran of the Year from the family of Chad Wright as Washington County Veterans Service Officer Larry Proctor, back left, looks on during the Veterans Hall of Fame in Washington County induction ceremony on Friday.
All three are core military values that transcend military service, he said.
“It’s up to us to set an example for the younger generations,” Knowlton said.
Those invited were:
* Navy veteran EO3 Jeremy Barton for outstanding community service and advocacy for veterans.
* Air Force veteran Sgt. Peter Brant for distinguished military service.
* Air Force veteran Sgt. David Brown for outstanding community service.
* Army veteran Cpl. James Dye for distinguished military service.
* Army veteran Pfc. Donald Erie for Veterans Advocacy and Professional Achievement.
* Army veteran Sgt. 1st Class Robert Fitzgerald For outstanding community service and advocacy for veterans.
* Marine and Army veteran Master Sgt. James Heikkinen for distinguished military service and advocacy for veterans.
* Air Force veteran Airman 2nd Class Gary Henderson for Veterans Advocacy.
* Navy Veteran Q2C Herman Huck for Distinguished Service.
* Army veteran Spc. Ivan Huck for Veterans Advocacy.
* Air Force veteran Chief Master Sgt. Jason Malek for distinguished military service, veteran advocacy and professional excellence.
* Veteran Marine Gunnery Sgt. Ronald Morris for distinguished military service, outstanding public service and advocacy for veterans.
* Army veteran Spc. Marian Meyers for Veterans Advocacy.
* Marine Veteran OS2 Terry Pringle for Veterans Advocacy.
* Marine veteran Staff Sergeant Kennth Radabaugh for veteran advocacy.
* Marine veteran Cpl. Brian Reeder for outstanding community service, veterans advocacy and professional achievement.
* Air Force veteran Sgt. 1st Class Rodney Scott for distinguished military service.
* Air Force and Army veteran Sgt. Major Calvin Williams for Distinguished Military Service and Veterans Protection.
* Navy Veteran AE3 Robert Yoder outstanding community service and advocacy for veterans.
The 2024 annual Washington County Veterans Community Awards were also presented.
* Washington County Chad D. Wright Memorial Veteran of the Year Award – Marine Corps Veteran Gunnery Sgt. Ronald Morris.
* Washington County Distinguished Service Award – Gary Ward and his wife, Kayla Ward.
*Washington County Veterans Employer of the Year – Marietta Fire Department.
* Washington County Veterans Community Service Award – RBD Concrete LLC and Next Level Masonry, LLC.
* Washington County Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman’s Award of Excellence – Jason Knowlton.
*Washington County Veterans Partner of the Year Award – City of Marietta Safety Director Steve Wetz.