Hillsdale will unveil memorial, serve breakfast to veterans on Friday

Ashland Times-Gazette

Hillsdale Local Schools is hosting a Veterans Day program, including the unveiling of a Veterans Memorial installment on school grounds, at 8 a.m., Friday in the main gym.

The Veterans Memorial, which is an Eagle Scout service project by Lance Tucker, a member of the class of 2024, will be unveiled and a complimentary breakfast will be served for the veterans following the program.

The guest speaker is Tom Ballinger.

Veteran Dick Dilgard, right, salutes during the signing of the National Anthem at Hillsdale Local Schools Veterans Day program at the high school gym on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. TOM E. PUSKAR/ASHLAND TIMES-GAZETTE
Veteran Dick Dilgard, right, salutes during the signing of the National Anthem at Hillsdale Local Schools Veterans Day program at the high school gym on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. TOM E. PUSKAR/ASHLAND TIMES-GAZETTE

Ballinger is a lifelong resident of Wayne County, having graduated from Smithville High School in 1990. After joining the U.S. Army, Ballinger served in various locations, including Kitzingen, Germany, Texas, Kentucky and Kansas.

Ballinger is an Audie Murphy member and has received numerous awards, such as the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (5 Oak Leaf clusters), Army Achievement Medal (7 Oak Leaf clusters), Good Conduct Medal (2), National Defense Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and was even recommended for the Bronze Star.

He completed a 13-month deployment to the Al Anbar Province of Iraq, including combat missions in Ramadi and Fallujah.

Ballinger continues to serve as a detective for the Copley Police Department, following his earlier service with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office.

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Hillsdale Local Schools to host Veterans Day program Friday

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