Dear Editor:

We have Memorial Day behind us, Flag Day upon us, Fourth of July around the corner and Veteran’s Day in November. These holidays all have distinct patriotic purposes. Let’s focus on Memorial Day, a day to very specifically remember those who have fallen (killed in action) while in service to protect and defend this country.

A day off work, gathering with family and friends or watching your grandkids on a float, playing in a band or chasing down literal pounds of candy, have all become our modern day “Memorial Day.” The fantastic work done by our local veterans in the 21 gun salute and benediction and the cemetery service all seem to be drowned out by all our “modern” activities. The last thing I want to sound like is a lecturing, finger-pointing, fuddyduddy. I would just simply like to make the case for a unique opportunity our little town of Milford has.

The plea has been made by many to name our new elementary school after Medal of Honor awardee, Lt. Harry Michael. It seems to have fallen on deaf ears. For the sake of brevity, google “Harry Michael: war hero.” His bold decisiveness, that ended in his death, could not be better verbalized than from Harry S. Truman himself in 1948: “The inspiring leadership and heroic aggressiveness, displayed by Lieutenant Michael, uphold the highest traditions of the military service.”

Harry grew up a few short miles from our new elementary school and graduated from Milford High School. Purdue University, where he graduated from, is proud enough of Harry to name the Armory training floor and a mile long avenue after our own local hero. But here in Milford, after decades of pleading for several different landmarks to be dedicated in his name, we have not one permanent marker with our hero’s name on it. Why?

The small group of decision makers on this topic have answered with a wall at a football field with all our other local fallen veterans. Lt. Michael’s actions and concern for his men under his command make him a candidate to have his name singled out for all to see and look up to as a standard bearer for heroism.

We ask those denying Harry of what is due to him to consider allowing our town the chance to vote on such an important topic.

Respectfully submitted,
Steve Tucker