Visit to WWII Memorial sparks memories for local woman

By David FrownfelderDaily Telegram Staff Writer Posted Jun. 8, 2014 @ 3:00 pm WASHINGTON, D.C.Memorial Day weekend marked the 10-year anniversary of the World War II Memorial dedication in Washington, D.C. It also marked the first time Melissa Growden had been back to the memorial since that weekend in 2004."It was a significant journey back, for me — a pilgrimage," said Growden, director of career services at Siena Heights University and the marketing coordinator for the Agricultural Awareness and Preservation Museum in Blissfield.Growden's grandfather, the late Roger Durbin, started the drive to build the memorial, and she served on the committee that approved the design and oversaw construction of the 7-acre memorial near the Korean War and Vietnam Veterans memorials around the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington. Durbin started the effort to build the memorial with a simple conversation at a fish fry in 1987 with U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo. Durbin, whose family still lives in Berkey, Ohio, simply asked Kaptur why there was no memorial honoring those who served in World War II.The two talked about that, and 17 years after she introduced a bill to create the memorial, Kaptur and Growden were part of the dedication ceremony. Durbin spent much of his later years working toward getting the memorial built. He died in February 2000, three months after ground was broken for the memorial.Growden was the youngest member of the committee that raised the money and got the memorial built. Her visit this year gave her a chance to reconnect with the friends she made while serving on the committee."This is probably the last official gathering of the World War II generation," she said. "It was incredible to be back. The ceremony itself was meaningful."Her first look at the memorial was from a tour bus soon after arrival May 23. At sunset that evening, Growden stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and watched visitors to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, also known as "The Wall," and the Korean War Memorial. The World War II?Memorial is directly across the reflecting pool from the Lincoln Memorial, and Growden said the view was breathtaking."The sun was starting to set and it was just a beautiful vista," she said.She was accompanied on the trip by Chelsea Iffland of Blissfield, who was making her first visit to the memorial. Iffland's late grandfather, Robert Hamilton of Riga, fought in the Burma and India campaigns, Growden said. Both women are members of the committee working to establish the agricultural museum.The trip brought back a flood of happy memories for Growden. She has visited Washington, D.C., between 30 and 40 times in her life and feels the same emotions with her first glimpse of the nation's capital."Every time I see it for the first time, it's a ‘pinch me,' moment," Growden said.The ceremony on May 24 featured many speakers who served on the committee, including Helen Fagin, a holocaust survivor; retired U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Pat Foote, who also served on the American Battle Monument Commission; Kaptur; and former Sen. Bob Dole, R-Kansas, who spoke extemporaneously from his wheelchair.Throughout the fundraising campaign, Dole served as national chairman of the memorial committee. He is a World War II veteran who was seriously wounded on the battlefield and decorated with Bronze Star and received two Purple Hearts.Also among the returning dignitaries was Friedrich St. Florian, who designed the memorial. St. Florian has created potential designs of the agriculture museum."My family has such a bond with Friedrich," Growden said. "He is a very special man."As part of the ceremony, wreaths were placed at sites around the memorial and the U.S. Navy Band performed. Growden said the story of the fish fry meeting between her grandfather and Kaptur was repeated by at least three speakers.The most poignant moment happened when the procession placed flags at each state or territory's column within the memorial, followed by the laying of wreaths, Growden said. She and Kaptur placed their state's wreath in front of the Ohio column.Kaptur also placed the wreath in honor of all American veterans, and Fagin placed a wreath in honor of the World War II?generation. Veterans representing organizations across the country also placed wreaths around the memorial.In her remarks, Kaptur noted more than 44 million people have walked through the site in the 10 years it has been open. Despite all of the care, respect and honor the memorial receives, Growden said it is showing signs of wear. The wear and tear, though, don't diminish the majesty of the World War II Memorial, she said."It's a very sacred place to me, very powerful. It is very dramatic at night, beautifully lit and I did get a little teary-eyed," Growden said. "For me, that's where the spirit of Roger Durbin is."