Salem OH Military Flags creates custom flags featuring the names and photos of honored veterans and active-duty service members to hang on light poles across the downtown area. 

The initial round of these flags totaled more than 160 men and woman who were honored in a special dedication ceremony at Lincoln Plaza Friday. The ceremony featured an invocation by Pastor Pete Fowler, canon and rifle salutes, the reading of all honored veteran’s names, remarks from City Council President Evan Newman, Eloise Traina and Dr. Marshall Bahr, and the presentation of official commendations from the Ohio House of Representatives by Rep. Monica Robb Blasdel, and from the city by Newman.

Newman welcomed the attendees and said the flags being dedicated “stand as a lasting symbol” and “a reminder that freedom is never free,” and that “behind every uniform is a story of service, resilience and courage.”

“Today we stand together in proud tribute and grateful remembrance. We gather not simply to raise these flags but to recognize the courage, sacrifice and unwavering commitment of the men and women who have answered our nation’s call,” said Newman.

Shown is Eloise Traina, who reflected on the life of her late husband Michael “Doc” Traina, who was the first veteran to be selected for the program in honor of his service as a combat medic in the U.S. Army from 1958-1960 and shared the story of the day he joined the military. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)

Traina, whose late husband Michael “Doc” Traina was the first veteran to be selected for the program in honor of his service as a combat medic in the U.S. Army from 1958-1960, shared the story of the day he joined the army. She said that while Michael’s parents obtained a letter from his doctor stating he was medically ineligible for the draft, when the day arrived that he was to report for duty “he went in, ripped up the piece of paper, and decided he was going to stay in the army for the next few years.” She said that he would have considered it to be “a huge honor” to be selected for the program and have a flag raised in his name.

Bahr asked everyone in attendance to drive down any street in the city and look up to see the rows of flags now hung in honor of Salem’s veterans, and to see the faces and names of their fellow residents past and present who served their country.

“Every one of them is a person who at some time in their life raised their right hand and answered that call to serve their country,” said Bahr.

Bahr said that on average in the United States less than 1% of citizens will ever serve in the military. He said that if Salem matched that national average, out of the city’s roughly 12,000 residents “about 60 of your neighbors” would have “ever worn the uniform.”

“If you look around town, at these flags, Salem doesn’t hit the national average. Salem crushes the national average. This little town in eastern Ohio has put more sons and daughters in uniform generation after generation than almost any community its same size in this country,” said Bahr. “Every flag that you see out there is a person with a life – a mom, a dad, a kid who left here at 18 and came back changed or didn’t come back at all. These aren’t names on a wall in Washington [D.C.] – these are our neighbors.”

Ohio Rep. Monica Robb Blasdel presents an official commendation celebrating Salem OH Military Flags commitment to honoring and remembering the service of Salem’s veterans and active-duty service members. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)

Bahr also challenged everyone in attendance, particularly the children, to go find one of the flags, stand beneath it, and thank them for their service.

Debbie Leggett, left, and Zach Baker read the names of all 160 veterans being honored as part of the first round of the Salem Ohio Military Flags program. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)

Friday’s ceremony concluded with a canon salute, rifle salute and a performance of Taps. Shown is the Salem AMVETS Post 45 honor guard. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)

Pastor Pete Fowler offers the invocation. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)

City Council President Evan Newman welcomed the attendees and presented an official commendation from the city of Salem. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)

Ben Wolford leads attendees in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)