There’s a large wall right in the center of downtown Mason. I see it every time I drive there, and I have always wondered what it was for.
Today I stopped there and found out it’s a memorial wall dedicated to individuals from Ingham County who fought in the Korean and Vietnam wars as well as World War II. There is a walkway leading up to it with engraved bricks honoring anyone from Ingham County who has served in the armed forces during times of peace and war.
Now that I have been reporting in Mason for the semester, I actually felt a sort of connection while I was reading the names on the wall. I have heard so many stories about old war veterans from the history buffs I have interviewed, it seemed fitting that I discovered the memorial now rather than at the beginning of my work.
But, one of the coolest things about being there today was when I noticed that the patriotism in Mason, especially at that memorial, was everywhere – even the fire hydrant was red, white and blue. If that doesn’t say something, I don’t know what does.