In Focus
By Nora McKeown
Venerating Veterans Community organizers enhance Veterans memorial at Jones Middle School
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senoff says, “and we hope that future generations will continue to expand upon the plaza to further recognize Veterans from the community.” The five panels represent valor, sacrifice, integrity, duty and gratitude. Stories from UA Veterans can be read in the plaza, and the committee is working on the development of a website to host even more Veteran profiles. “There’s a general perception that people from Upper Arlington or citizens from Upper Arlington don’t serve in the military,” Yassenoff says, “and that is absolutely, absolutely not true.” Yassenoff says that data he obtained from the city of Upper Arlington indicates that UA is home to a higher percentage of Veterans than the national average.
History at Home Upper Arlington has a rich history of military service that dates back to the Revolutionary War. One of the most notable parts of local military history is the story of Camp Willis. When Upper Arlington was formed in 1914, developers were starting to build and sell houses. Only six houses had been sold when Mexican revolutionary leader Pancho Villa led an attack on the border in New Mexico, and President Woodrow Wilson called for the training of more troops to be sent to the border for extra protection. “So, Ohio Governor Willis needed to have someplace for the Ohio National Guard to gather, train and prepare to go to the border,” says Melanie Circle Brown, executive director of the UA Historical SoMay/June 2021 • www.trivillagemagazine.com
Photos courtesy of UA Parks and Recreation
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ommunity members in Upper Arlington are showing their respect for those who have served in the military by enhancing the memorial at Jones Middle School to create the Veterans Plaza at Mallway Park. Erik Yassenoff, former UA City Council member, took on the project with the help of community volunteers and funding from the city of Upper Arlington, state grants and private donors. They were able to use the funding to restore an arch between the front pillars, clean up the greenery in the area and create a new space behind the pillars with panels that share the stories of UA’s Veterans. “While the committee’s initial vision was larger and grander, we believe the final project is perfect for right now,” Yas-
