FLUSHING — The Flushing Alumni Association honored some local heroes by dedicating an engraved stone to the seven Litten brothers, who served a combined 137 years in the U.S. Air Force.

Bill Ralston of the alumni association said this was an exceptional feat deserving special recognition.

“Seven brothers, they’re all from Flushing (High School). Six of the seven graduated from Flushing and the other was young enough he graduated from Union Local” after consolidation formed the new district, he said.

Their graduation dates ranged from 1949 through 1967, and six of the brothers — John, Robert David, Jerry, Kenneth, Larry and Carl Steven — each had well in excess of 20 years of service with only Arthur serving just less than 4 years.

Ralston said the U.S. Air Force installed a plaque and bench on the grounds of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, to honor the brothers.

According to the base, John Litten served 1951-72; Robert David Litten served 1956-79, Larry Litten served 1959-83, Kenneth Litten served 1959-81, Jerry Litten served 1959-80, Arthur Litten served 1960-64, and Carl Steven Litten served 1967-89.

“It’s an interesting story,” he said.

“… (M)ost of them graduated from Flushing, and we as a group decided a year and a half ago or so to recognize them with something,” Ralston said. “It’s actually a large stone, and it’s been engraved by Joel Braido from Bethesda and it has all their names on it.”

Pat Kovacs, an alumni committee member, donated the stone. Ralston said this will be a lasting, visible honor to an “exceptional band of brothers from Flushing.”

He added that three of the brothers — John, Kenneth and Arthur — are now deceased, but Jerry, Larry, Carl Steven and Robert David remain to receive this recognition.

“Some of the brothers are deceased and some of them are alive, so that’s our gift to them and in their memory, so it’s ongoing for future generations,” Ralston said.

“There’s already a plaque at the library and at the American Legion in Flushing, but we wanted something visual outside that people can drive by and see it.”

He said the cost was about $2,700, paid for with the alumni fund and solicited with alumni dues.

The stone has been erected at the entrance to Schuler Park off of Ohio 149 and the official dedication was Saturday.

The banquet was at the Flushing firehouse at 104 East High St.

“A lot of people are coming from out of town to the banquet, which doesn’t start ’til 6 p.m. and some of them may not get there in time, because this is at 3:30 p.m.,” he said. “A lot of the people drive in from Columbus, Zanesville, Pittsburgh and other areas where they now live are people who don’t live in Flushing anymore.”