Landscaping completes next phase of Holmes County Veterans Memorial project

First came the flag, then the benches, then the pavers, followed by the memorial and then the wall. Now the Holmes County Veterans Memorial on Glen Drive next to the Holmes County District Public Library has a new addition to its development — that being the placement of the landscaping that adds plenty of beauty to the monument.

The landscaping project marks the completion of another step in creating a memorial that will represent Holmes County’s service members who fought and gave their lives in service or who are still missing in action.

During October Travis Raber, owner of Roots Lawn Service, had himself and his employees working hard on planting the landscaping in its proper place.

He said when the veterans committee approached him about doing something for the monument, he was more than happy to donate his company’s time and equipment toward installing the landscaping.

“We’re proud and honored to be able to do this for the veterans,” Raber said. “When they approached me about doing something with this, I immediately said yes because of everything they have done for our country and our community.”

Raber said the goal was to commit to the red, white and blue theme of the monument by placing landscaping that would bloom in the proper color scheme and represent the sacrifices of the veterans.

He said in addition, the landscaping options are easy maintenance plants and grasses that will be hearty.

“These types of opportunities to provide a service to those who served our country don’t come along every day, and it’s neat to be a part of giving back to them in some way,” Raber said. “With everything else here, this is a nice lasting tribute that honors our veterans and fits in well with our community.”

Raber said while the village will tend to the monument, he and his staff will continue to keep a close eye on the progress of the landscaping over time to make sure it remains vital and beautiful.

Travis Raber’s brother Trevor Raber said most of the plants came from Fredericksburg Greenhouse, which provided them with an array of plants to create an ideal look for the monument.

He said they brought in close to 30 tons of dirt to properly level the ground after the wall was put in place. After leveling the ground and getting it sloped properly for drainage, it was a matter of placing the plants and sandstone rocks to beautify the monument.

The veterans committee was thrilled by the progress, and committee member Jim Miller said they owe a debt of gratitude to not only Roots Lawn Service, but also the many others who have either volunteered or donated to see this project through to fruition.

“We were blessed to have (Travis) and his crew dedicate so much to the landscaping of the monument. It adds so much to the beauty of it,” Miller said. “This community continues to come through for us in so many ways, and we are so grateful.”

The group continues to work on developing grants to go with donations.

Anyone wishing to donate to the project can send a check to Holmes County Veterans Services and mail it to 75 E. Clinton St., Suite 104, Millersburg, OH 44654. Checks should be made out to Holmes County Veterans Memorial.