At 11:00 a.m. on November 11th, over three hundred veterans, citizens, and public officials gathered at the new Berryville-Clarke County Government Center to dedicate the Clarke County Veterans Memorial. The memorial—appropriately dedicated on Veterans Day—honors the men and women of Clarke County who served, are serving, and will serve in our armed forces.
The memorial was a joint effort between local veterans’ organizations and local governments. VFW Post 9760 and American Legion Post 41 each donated $10,000 for the construction of the memorial.
As the National Anthem was played by the Clarke County Community Band, Past Post 41 Commander John Gallagher and Past VFW Post 9760 Commander Rodney Lloyd raised the U. S. flag over the memorial. The Virginia flag was raised by State Senator Jill Holtzman Vogel and Delegate Joe T. May. Berryville Major Wilson Kirby and Clarke County Supervisor David Weiss raised the flags for the town and county. Legionnaire Bill Overbey and VFW member Walter Rutherford raised the POW-MIA flag.
Colonel Roy Batterton, USMC (Retired), with the assistance of Legionnaire Bill Overbey, unveiled the dedicate monument. The granite monument includes the dedication date and the following inscription: “This memorial is gratefully dedicated to all who have served in the defense of this nation. Their sacrifices are honored and not forgotten”. The memorial includes bronze emblems for the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marines.
As the Clarke County Community Band played a rousing tribute to each military branch, veterans of that service stood and waved the small American flags provided by Post 41. There were veterans present for each of the six military branches honored by the memorial.
Clarke County finally has a memorial honoring its military veterans. The memorial is appropriately located at the new Government Center, overlooking Rose Hill Park, and the Barns of Rose Hill. Two benches will be added at a later date so visitors can relax and reflect as they view the memorial.
An annual Veterans Day Service is held on November 11 to honor all veterans of Clarke County.
