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Veterans Hall of fame holds induction ceremony

By Nancy Taylor 9 min read

Many military veterans carry their concept of honorable service right out of active duty and put that energy and discipline to work in their hometown communities.

Washington County Commissioner James Booth, an Army veteran and member of the Washington County Veterans Hall of Fame class of 2022, elaborated on that theme of leadership, achievement and service in his keynote address for the 2023 Veterans Hall of Fame induction ceremony Nov. 1 at the Dyson Baudo Recreation Center on the campus of Marietta College.

The center was filled with family, friends, community leaders and local military organization supporters as Booth prepared them to welcome honorees for outstanding community service, veterans advocacy and professional achievement, as well as the valor and extreme sacrifice of distinguished military service.

In the United States Air Force, he said, leadership has been described as hard work turning a vision into a result. In the United States Marine Corps, leadership is not about being in control; it's about ensuring the wellbeing of those under your control. The United States Navy says leadership is about having the confidence to stand alone and to listen to others' needs.

Booth, who along with his wife now owns and operates a trucking business, says he has learned that leadership involves balancing work and family. And although true leaders serve under all types of conditions, he knows from experiences with his own wife, sons and parents that support from those who are close can help leadership thrive.

In addition to the four veterans inducted posthumously, the 2023 Washington County Veterans Hall of Fame inductees include:

SGT Doug Bergen, U.S.M.C. 1952-1955

For outstanding community service

Bergen served as a Weather Observer in the U.S.Marine Corps and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal.

He is a lifetime member of the Marine Corps League and the Marine Corps Veterans Association. He has served as Sergeant at Arms and is a member of the Sgt. Bob O'Malley Detachment 1436 Honor Guard. He is extremely active as a Veterans' advocate and in offering help to the Marine Corps League and fellow veterans.

SSG Kenneth Blume, U.S.A.F. 1987-2000

For outstanding community service and Veterans' advocacy

Blume served in the U.S. Air Force as a Security Force Craftsman and honorably served in Operation Desert Storm.

He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with campaign medal, and the Air Force Achievement Medal.

He is a life member of the VFW, and served as Post Commander for VFW Post 5108 from 2019 to 2023. He is now District Commander. In addition, he serves on the Honor Guard, which has provided military honors for more than 448 funerals.

SGT Bernard Cleveland Jr., U.S.M.C. 1968-1970

For outstanding community service and exceptional Veterans' advocate

Cleveland served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.

He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal w/60 device, Vietnam Service Medal and the RVN Cross of Gallantry w/Palm.

He has been an active Veterans' advocate within the community and is a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He sits on the house committee of the Ronnie W. Davis Memorial VFW Post 5108 and serves as the quartermaster for Post 5108. He is an active member of the Honor Guard, which has provided military honors for 517 funerals.

BUL2 Gary Cochran, U.S.N. 1958-1962

For outstanding professional achievement

Cochran, a Builder Petty Officer 2nd Class in the U.S. Navy, served as a Construction Engineer.

He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and was very active representing the U.S. Navy Mobile Construction Battalion sports program.

In his career he worked with the United Steel Workers in several capacities and led its longest strike in the nation, working to improve fair labor laws. He was president of United Steel Workers Local Union 5760 for 21 years, served as a D.C. lobbyist for workers' rights and is a published author.

CPL Ray Currey, U.S.M.C. 2006-2010

For outstanding community service

Currey was a Rifleman in the U.S. Marine Corps. He earned the Humanitarian Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Sea Service Deployment with Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

He is a member of American Legion Post 389 in Beverly and is very active in helping the post with community events and volunteering his time to improve the building. In addition, he donated material and labor in helping to install Veterans' monuments at Gold Star Park.

SPC 5 David Eichhorn, U.S. Army 1970-1972

For distinguished military service and outstanding community service

Eichhorn was a Combat Medic during the Vietnam War.

He was awarded the Bronze Star, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal w/60 Device and the Army Commendation Medal.

Eichhorn has been a strong Veterans' advocate within Washington County for years. He is a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, where he serves as a trustee, and a life member of the American Legion. He also serves on both post Honor Guard programs. He was selected as Washington County's Vietnam Veteran of 2023.

MSG David Fitzgerald, U.S.A.F. 1982-2004

For distinguished military service and outstanding community service

Fitzgerald's 23 years in the U.S. Air Force included service in Desert Shield, Desert Storm and the War on Terrorism.

He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal w/1 Bronze Star Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Achievement Medal w/3 OLCs, Air Force Commendation Medal w/2 OLCs, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal w/ Bronze Star, Southwest Asia Service Medal w/2 Bronze Stars, Kuwait Liberation Medal w/2 OLCs, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award w/ Valor, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal w/ Silver OLC.

SPC Derek Hadfield, U.S. Army 2004-2009

For distinguished military service and outstanding community service

Hadfield was an armored crewmember in Iraq and was wounded in action in May 2008.

He received the Army Commendation Medal (2nd award), the Military Order of the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq campaign medal w/Campaign Star and the Combat Action Badge.

A1C Larry Mincks, U.S.A.F. 1961-1965

For outstanding community service and professional achievement

Mincks served in the U.S. Air Force as a Radio Intercept Analysis Specialist.

He earned the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, the Air Force Longevity Service Award and the United States Air Force Security Service Badge.

After the Air Force, Mincks began a long career in law enforcement. He was an Ohio State trooper before graduating from Marietta College and becoming a special agent with the U.S. Treasury Department. He retired from the Internal Revenue Service in 1999, when he began his career with the Washington County Sheriff's Office. He was elected sheriff in 2004.

EM3 Dale Pierce, U.S. Navy 1980-1984

For outstanding community service

Electrician Mate 3rd Class Pierce received the National Defense Service Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and the Battle Efficiency "E" Ribbon.

He is a life member of the Disabled American Veterans and a life member of the American Veterans, and is active in both groups. He has provided time and resources to help with DAV projects and always supports both the DAV and AMVETS with his attendance at their community events.

SGT Jerry Richards, U.S. Army 1967-1969

For distinguished military service

Richards, a combat infantryman in Vietnam, was 11 months into his tour of combat duty when he stepped on a land mine and was badly wounded.

He received the Bronze Star, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal w/60 device and the Combat Infantryman's badge.

SSG Jared Smith, U.S. Army Reserves 2004-2005, 2007-2008, 2014-2015

For distinguished military service, outstanding community service, professional achievement and Veterans' advocacy

While in the Army Reserves, Smith was activated for supporting operations at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and in support of operations in Iraq.

He earned the Army Commendation Medal w/Valor device, Army Commendation Medal (3rd award), Army Achievement Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with 3 campaign stars, Combat Action Badge, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and the War on Terrorism Service Medal.

The Washington County Veterans Hall of Fame 2023 also awarded Smith the Chad D. Wright Memorial Award — Washington County Veteran of the Year - for dedicated and enduring service to the Veterans of Washington County. "His personal courage, determined attitude and diligent effort have significantly added to the betterment of the Veterans of Washington County. Jared Smith's actions reflect great credit upon himself, Washington County and the great State of Ohio."

SGT Randall Trotter U.S.A.F. 1972-1976

For outstanding community service

Trotter served in the U.S. Air Force as an Electronic Communications and Cryptographic Equipment System Repairer.

He received the National Defense Service Medal and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal.

Trotter is a life member of American Legion Post 389 in Beverly, where he has held numerous officer positions over the past 45 years. He has served as Sergeant of Arms for Post 389 as well as for District 11 for many years. He has been an active member of the Honor Guard for more than 20 years and has been recognized in the Beverly area for more than 30 years of continual volunteerism. He is known throughout the community as the "Go-To Guy" for events and volunteering.

EN1 Tommy Valentine, U.S. Navy 1966-1970, 1973-1978

For distinguished military service and outstanding community service

Petty Officer 1st Class Tommy Valentine served in the U.S. Navy as an Engine Mechanic. From 1967 to 1968 he was in Vietnam, where he was wounded in action and transported by Medevac to a Naval hospital in Japan.

He received the National Defense Service Medal, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal w/60 device and the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon.

He is a life member of VFW Post 5108, life member of the DAV and the American Legion. He is instrumental in providing support on the Honor Guard and helping the post.

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