Sandra Lockwood stands next to photographs of her son, U.S.M.C. Gunnery Sergeant David Spicer, that are part of the National Traveling Memorial, which was on display at Bellefontaine High School this past weekend. Spicer was killed in action in Afghanistan July 13, 2009, and his photograph was one of the 5,501 that are a part of the Memorial. (TOM STEPHENS | THE CHRONICLE)
The National Traveling Memorial is a display entitled “Remembering Our Fallen” that includes photos of the Americans who died fighting for our country in Afghanistan and Iraq following the terror attacks, which brought down the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001.
The National Traveling Memorial was on display in the auxiliary gym of Bellefontaine High School from Oct. 8-10.
When the Logan County Chronicle visited the Memorial Saturday afternoon, Oct. 10, we met Sandra Lockwood near the door. Lockwood is a Green Hills resident and the mother of U.S.M.C. Gunnery Sergeant David Spicer.
Gunnery Sgt. Spicer was a Zanesfield native and a graduate of Benjamin Logan High School. His was one of the 5,501 photographs on display in the Memorial, as he was killed in action in Afghanistan on July 13, 2009.
We accompanied Lockwood to Gunnery Sgt. Spicer’s photograph, which was one of 35 Tribute Towers that bedecked the BHS gym, each one crowded with photos of those who suffered and ultimately gave what Abraham Lincoln called “the last full measure of devotion” to their country.
“When you walk in here and see all of the pictures, it’s unbelievable,” Lockwood said. “It just puts it all in perspective. It’s mind-boggling.”
According to records preserved by the Logan County History Center, two other Logan County residents also lost their lives in the War on Terror:
Sgt. Jeremy Michael Hodge – Rushsylvania resident and Ridgemont High School graduate, serving with the US Army National Guard, was killed Oct. 10, 2005, in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Staff Sgt. Dennis Hansen – An Indian Lake High School graduate, serving with the U.S. Marine Corps, died Dec. 3, 2009, from wounds sustained in Afghanistan.
Additionally, the History Center documents two victims with direct family ties to the county who were killed in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks that initiated the War on Terror:
Alicia Titus: A flight attendant on United Airlines Flight 175 whose grandparents and extended family resided in Rushsylvania.
Stephen Cangialoa: An employee at Cantor Fitzgerald killed at the World Trade Center, who was the nephew of former Logan County Commissioner John “Jake” Jeffrey.
The 5,501 photographs include those who fought and died on a foreign field, as well as those who fought and came home, only to later take their own lives. Many suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which leaves its own hidden, horrific wounds on the psyche of the soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen, who fought for our freedom and against terrorism.
Sandra Lockwood stands next to photographs of her son, U.S.M.C. Gunnery Sergeant David Spicer, that are part of the National Traveling Memorial, which was on display at Bellefontaine High School this past weekend. Spicer was killed in action in Afghanistan July 13, 2009, and his photograph was one of the 5,501 that are a part of the Memorial. (TOM STEPHENS | THE CHRONICLE)
The National Traveling Memorial was unveiled on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., in 2017, and has since traveled to over 150 cities and 35 states.
Plans are being made to establish a permanent home for the Memorial at the end of 2026.
The Memorial was brought to Logan County at the request of the Logan County Veterans Services. Director Shelley Kneece said the Memorial has its own goose-neck trailer to move it about the country, and it will likely next be traveling to California after leaving Logan County.
Lockwood paused for several seconds while she gazed at the two photographs of her son that were on display, both of which pictured Gunnery Sgt. Spicer in uniform. She touched one of the photos lovingly.
“I think everybody should see this because a lot of people don’t realize what the cost of freedom is,” Lockwood said.
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The Logan County Veterans Services office is located in Memorial Hall, 121 S. Opera St. in Bellefontaine. It serves all veterans who qualify for benefits and their dependents.
The LCVS offers financial assistance such as food, rent, utilities, fuel, prescriptions and clothing to veterans with honorable discharges or discharges under honorable conditions who have lived in the county for at least 90 days and who meet the income guidelines.
The LCVS can arrange free transportation to VA mandated appointments in Dayton or Columbus VA Medical Centers, and to Community Based Outpatient Clinics associated with the VA.
The office can also assist veterans with assistance with completing VA healthcare applications, as well as claims for assistance to include compensation, non-service connected pensions, burial benefits, survivor's benefits, headstone/marker applications and the like.
The LCVS is open Monday though Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and closes for lunch from 11 a.m. until noon. Veterans or their dependents can request an appointment by calling (937) 599-4221 or by e-mail at [email protected].
