Veterans Day traces its history back to World War I, and a ceasefire signed by the Allies and Germany that went into effect on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month. The holiday has been observed on Nov. 11 in honor of that agreement. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) said the day is meant to be, “A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.”
Here is a sampling of some of The Land’s recent reporting on Northeast Ohio veterans and their stories.
Lone Sailor Monument dedication connects Cleveland generations
The monument’s dedication kicks off a year of celebration for the Navy. October 13th, 2025 celebrates the 250th anniversary of the establishment of the U.S. Navy by founding father George Washington himself, when he converted three Masschustes schooners into warships to intercept a British Naval Supply ship.
There are 18 Lone Sailor Monuments across the country’s coastlines and waterways. Cleveland’s Lone Sailor Monument has an extra special element. A plaque commemorating and linking veterans from Northeast Ohio is made. in part, from repurposed stone from the Civil War-era Soldiers and Sailors monument. Linking past to the present.
The dedication was a wonderful moment for families of veterans. A mother and her daughter were there, standing alongside her son-in-law, whose grandfather was a Navy veteran. “We have the whole family,” she said smiling, “My son-in-law’s grandfather served in the Navy, and they placed his name on the new monument plaque.”
Cleveland ready to honor Navy legacy with “Lone Sailor” monument
Hands tucked into his coat, the solemn figure of the “Lone Sailor” gazes into the distance, contemplating faraway lands or pining for home. This steadfast Navy man will soon have a place on Cleveland’s waterfront, in time for the commissioning of a new ship named for the city.
The move to Voinovich Park has come with a few hurdles – one location at the park was rejected for encroaching upon a Burke Lakefront Airport runway safety zone. Metroparks construction on Whiskey Island, meanwhile, scotched statue building plans on the peninsula. Support from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, among others, finally resulted in a 25-year licensing agreement with the city of Cleveland.
Walter Collins Veterans Housing & Service Facility set to break ground on 93rd and Harvard in March
Before his untimely death in 2018, Damien Forshe, co-founder of Rid-All Green Partnership was committed to the growth of Cleveland’s southeast side in every sense of the word. With Rid-All firmly established in the business of urban agriculture on almost 30 acres of land at 8129 Otter Dr. (off E. 79th and E. 84th streets and Kinsman Ave.), Forshe had turned his sights to the development of housing for homeless veterans in and around the Union Miles and Mt. Pleasant areas.
The Walter Collins Veterans Housing & Service Facility is expected to break ground in March 2024. According to Union Miles Development Corporation (UMDC), the initial phase of the project will consist of 11 cluster style, single-family homes. In conjunction with Rid-All Green Partnership, UMDC is looking to address the issue of housing options for homeless veterans and their families.
Rebel Readers Cleveland hits one-year mark, details upcoming plans
Rebel Readers Cleveland recently celebrated its first birthday. The book club, which aims to champion diverse authors and unite Northeast Ohioans, was founded by Felicia Haney and Dahlia Fisher in 2023 and has grown in popularity. They now meet the third Sunday of every month at 3 p.m. at Loganberry Books.
On November 17, in honor of Veterans Day, Travis Harman reads from his new memoir, “Remote Outpost,” the true story of a punk skater kid thrust from a small town into a battlefield fighting to win his father’s approval, enlisting together in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard after the horrors of 9/11 shake the nation. Make your reservations here.
Rid-All adds 4,000 trees to greenhouse, boosting efforts to restore Cleveland tree canopy
Rid-All was founded 13 years ago by Damien Forshe, Keymah Durden III, Randy McShepard, Marc S. White, Timothy Lewis, and Dave Hester (known to many as Dr. Green Hands). Overall, Rid-All encompasses many greenhouses with a variety of uses from growing crops for farm-to-table food to composting, a seed nursery, and a tree nursery. Hester explained that he has been working with gardens and plants ever since he was two years old. Inspired by his grandmother, a farmer, he has always had a passion for and felt connected to the earth. For Hester, who is also a former member of the United States Marines, the greenhouse dedicated to veterans who are looking for a place to connect is especially close to his heart. Hester personally designed and created the space to be filled with many bright colors and aesthetically pleasing, exotic plants.
Editor’s note: Rid-All Green Partnership again held its Annual Armed Forces Day in May 2024.
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