07/05/2024
On this day we remember our Veterans and the service they gave to our country so that we can enjoy family and friends on this day, July 4th. Over the years there have been special projects to be a part of that share in the importance, the sacrifices and the gifts we have been given by our Veterans of the past. Memorials are a tribute to those who gave so much to our country while asking nothing in return but a thank you and signs of appreciation for their efforts.
Cameron has always been a place that is close to our family. For 41years in Cameron we shared time with family and friends but on this day, it was always about recognizing the Veterans who served. Then hosting friends to our home and remembering why we are here.
There are now three special memorials in Cameron that share their own stories for others to hear, to see their names, and designs that represent their life.
Most recently a group of classmates and other local veterans ask if I might design s special memorial for a fallen friend/classmate of 1964. Without hesitation I said I would be honored to be a part of the project. Lt. Russell E. Voris was a pilot for the USAF and was killed in action in the Vietnam War. The classmates want to erect the memorial in the center of a previous gift made by the class to the Cameron High School in the east side of the building adjacent to Chestnut Street.
After some discussions it was determined we wanted an image of a pilot and an image of the plane that Lt. Voris few during his mission in Vietnam. The plane is a replica of the one Lt. Voris flew, the A37 Dragonfly. Once an image of a pilot was found with is helmet, then on to find a great picture of the A37 that could be shown in flight at the just the right angle was needed. A picture of a similar plane is shown below for comparisons.
As with any project there are people to thank that went out of their ways to make this project happen. Davey Hausman of Hausman Metal Works in Saint Joe is always a pleasure to work with on any project, but he took this one to heart. With their CNC machines and the design created and given to their staff, the once dream came together through their fabrication. But that's not all. Needing to have it power coated, he made arrangements with Tyson Cox on Saint Joe Avenue to sand blast, paint and heat for the final product. Without Davey and his connections and Tyson and his ability to work it in to his schedule, the project could have easily gone on for weeks for completion.
Once the fabrication was completed then it was out to Cameron to complete the installation, fill in the dirt to create a planting area for new plants and then added black mulch for the final touch.
Honored beyond words. It was just as you dreamed it could be. The pilot stands proud, and the plane looks as if to be circling from a distance in the background. Cameron does it right and for the right reasons. Come and visit the large memorial on Park Street, just west of the high school, then venture to the Veterans Home and enjoy the entrance that represents all of the military services and finally stop by and see Lt. Voris in front of the school.
Thank to Mike Hanrahan, Dennis Pulliam and Jim Plymell for their help on 'game day installation. If you needed something, they made sure you had in in hand. To Jack and Larry Workman for always being there and their help in the installation. I think we did LT. Voris and his family proud.
Finally, thank you for caring about our veterans. Today we celebrate because and for them. And most of all, take time to listen to their stories. Once the pass, the stories go too and that's a loss for all of us.
