Unveiling Ceremony Includes Memorial, Concert and Presentation of Colors

Unveiling Ceremony Includes Memorial, Concert and Presentation of Colorswritten by: Connie Ratisseau

Just a few days before the nation celebrated the 4th of July; friends, family and people who had never even met Medal of Honor Recipient Corporal Jason L. Dunham, gathered to permanently memorialize his life and sacrifice in Ridgeway, Pennsylvania at the dedication of the Jason L. Dunham Memorial. The dedication was made honoring his selfless act as he gave his own life on April 14, 2004 to save his fellow comrades in Iraq.

The full day of events began in Ridgeway at the First Presbyterian Church as four members of the US Marine Color Guard walked slowly down the aisle of the church to make a presentation of the American Flag to Deb and Dan Dunham, parents of Corporal Dunham. Also in attendance was Jason’s sister Katie and grandparents Mr. & Mrs. Kincaid of Ridgeway.

After the moving story of Corporal Dunham’s heroism was relayed by his commanding officer Major Trent Gibson, the ceremonies moved to Ridgeway’s VFW Post 5887 where the official unveiling, placement and dedication of the memorial was presented by Mr. Jason Allen of Topeka, Illinois.

Woodworker and CNC artist, Mr. Allen, who never personally met Corporal Dunham, was also the designer and creator of the cherry cabinet memorial that features two Lithophane photographs of Corporal Dunham, carved in acrylic and backlit to reveal its beauty.

The cabinet also features a glass enclosed area which houses a scale model designed by Mr. David Carter of North Little Rock, Arkansas of the soon to be commissioned US Navy guided-missile destroyer, USS Jason Dunham-DDG109..

The display also included a framed United States Flag transported by the 169th Air Squadron (Peoria Air Guard) to the battlefield in Iraq and returned to the Dunham Family in honor of Corporal Dunham.

Later that evening, a Benefit Concert was held featuring renowned gospel artist Mrs. Cathy Reynolds of Morton, Illinois. During the concert which included both gospel and patriotic music, Mrs. Reynolds was joined by the Lee County Concert Choir. Concert promoters received more than $1,200 in donations for the Cpl. Jason L. Dunham Memorial Scholarship.


About Corporal Jason L. Dunham: On April 14, 2004, 22 year old, Corporal Dunham from Scio, NY selflessly gave his own life to protect the lives of the members of his squadron by placing his helmet over a dropped live grenade and then covering it with his own body. The other two Marines survived the explosion with serious injuries, but Corporal Dunham died eight days later at Bethesda Naval Hospital. He has since received from President George W. Bush the nation’s highest military award, the Medal of Honor presented in January 2007. The US Navy in an unprecedented short period of time after his death named the newest guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham in March 2007. The destroyer is under construction and is expected to be delivered to the US Navy by fall of 2009. More information about Corporal Dunham can be found at www.jasonsmemorial.com. Contributions to the Cpl. Jason L. Dunham Memorial Scholarship can be made on the same web site.

About Jason Allen: Mr. Allen of Topeka, Illinois is an artist and craftsman whose work can be seen at www.littleredwoodshop.com and www.carvewright.com/customergallery . He is a founder of The CNC Art Guild Of America and proud veteran of the US Army.

About David Carter: Mr. Carter of North Little Rock, Arkansas is a teacher and member of the Central Arkansas Scale Modelers. He has created several precision scale models for use in historical programs and his works have been featured on the History Channel.

About Cathy Reynolds: Mrs. Reynolds of Morton, Illinois is a three time winner of the CIA Southern Gospel Artist of the Year Award. Mrs. Reynolds worked for three years on the Anita Bryant Show in Branson, Missouri and now directors The Central Illinois Performing Arts Studio in Morton. She tours the country performing at churches and many Veteran events and last December sang in the White House. More information is available at www.cathyjreynolds.com