Veterans honored in unique way
By Sue Sitter - | Feb 27, 2021
Sue Sitter/PCT
From left, Pierce County Veterans Service Officer Ron Montonye, Clarence Larson American Legion Post #23 Commander John Gustafson, and Dale Niewoehner hold a ceiling tile dedicated to Donald Monger, a veteran of World War II. Some of the ceiling tiles honoring other Pierce County vets are shown overhead.
Downstairs in the Rugby Veterans Memorial Hall, the dining room ceiling is slowly changing from an expanse of blank white tiles to a space dedicated to honor Pierce County veterans.
A two-foot by four-foot rectangle showing the name of a soldier, sailor, Marine or airman will eventually replace each plain ceiling tile. Each tribute tile will show the name of a soldier, sailor, Marine or airman, his or her rank at discharge, years of service and medals received. The tiles also feature emblems from the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars or Disabled American Veterans, if the honoree was a member of any of those organizations.