By James Massara
NEW WASHINGTON – The Buckeye Central Board of Education became the fourth Crawford County school to hear a presentation from Bernie Kessler of the Sons of the American Legion on a chair to honor servicemen and women missing in action.
The presentation came down to Kessler requesting space for a 42-inch square chair to be placed in memory of what Kessler said was 91,000 servicemen and women unaccounted for through American wars.
Kessler said in the board gave a location for the chair, the American Legion would cover the approximately $1,000 it would take to pour a concrete pad and purchase the chair, chair covers, an information plaque and other items.
“The only thing we would ask is if a custodian or other school employee would bring the flags in at night and put them back out in the morning,” Kessler said.
Kessler then gave examples of where the chair might go. He said Bucyrus plans to place the chair at its football stadium and Colonel Crawford and Wynford plan to put the chair by their school entrances.
He also showed a photo of a similar chair in the ROTC seating section of Ohio Stadium at Ohio State University.
Board members unanimously agree it was something they would like pursued.
“It’s a no-brainer to me,” board member Chris Martin said.
Kessler said he would like the installation of the chair to occur next summer after school gets out, so it would be in place by fiscal year 2019, which is the 100th anniversary of the American Legion.
The board said they will find a suitable spot for the chair and let Kessler know in the future.
Kessler said he next plans to share his presentation with the Galion and Crestline boards of education.