BEALLSVILLE — Rain and hail did not deter eager residents from witnessing the unveiling of the Monroe County Gold Star Families Memorial Monument on Friday.

Hundreds of people covered the lawn of the Beallsville American Legion Post 768, where the monument was erected late last month, for the dedication ceremony and unveiling of the monument. It has remained under cover since it was brought in. The memorial is meant to honor veterans and also the families of soldiers who were killed in combat.

Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, who was the first guest to speak, gave opening remarks, speaking highly of the county and what it does to support its veterans.

“It’s a privilege to be here today in Monroe County — a beautiful place, great people who recognize the value of sacrifice and service. We are here to recognize the Gold Star Families who have lost a family member in combat. To all of you, we know what a great sacrifice that has been,” he said.

Husted then looked at Hershel “Woody” Williams, who was also present and slated to speak, and said it had been a “treat” to learn more about him. He thanked Williams for his service, along with all veterans in attendance.

Williams, a 99-year-old Marine and Medal of Honor recipient who served during World War II, is the co-founder of the Hershel “Woody” Williams Medal of Honor Foundation, the organization responsible for establishing the Gold Star Families Memorial monuments. Williams hails from Fairmont, West Virginia, and is the only living Marine recipient of the Medal of Honor from WWII.

Husted said it is important to preserve the legacy of the veterans honored by the monument and for the younger generation to understand the sacrifices made.

“As I always say, we must as a nation, as a state and community, celebrate the value and remember what we value so that these young people out there, when it’s their turn … they know what they sacrificed for them and what they have an obligation to preserve for generations, we all do. That’s the American legacy,” he said.

Husted spoke of the conflict in Ukraine as an example of “how quickly freedom can go away without military force to back it up.

“That sacrifice has given us this country that we have today, and that’s something that we must forever preserve,” he said.

Ohio is home to around 750,000 military veterans. Husted said the administration, including Gov. Mike DeWine, aims to make it the most military-friendly state in the nation.

“To not only value the service of those wearing the uniform but to support their families because when one person in the family puts on a uniform, they all sacrifice in some way,” he said. “To all the veterans that are here, thank you.”

When Williams spoke, he said Gold Star families know the cost of freedom. He said the monument will act as a place where they can visit, meditate and remember their loved ones who will never be forgotten.

“A terrible number of Americans never return to their families and sacrifice their lives so others can return to theirs. By remembering them this way, we memorialize all of them,” Williams said.

Other guest speakers during the event included Ohio Rep. Ron Rerguson, R-Wintersville; Monroe County Commissioner Mick Schumacher; and David Wiles, commander of Beallsville American Legion Post 768. The River High School band performed the national anthem and other songs throughout the event.

Members of the Gold Star families were presented flowers before being led forward to stand around the monument as it was unveiled.

Beallsville is known as the U.S. community that had the largest number of residents per capita killed in the Vietnam War. According to Ohio History Central, of the village’s 475 residents at the time, six men died in the conflict.