GREENVILLE – Fort GreeneVille Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution will be dedicating the memorial pavers at the Gold Star Mothers and Families monument located at the entrance of the Greenville City Park. The dedication will be on Tuesday, August 26 at 4:30 pm. The dedication will include the Darke County Honor Guard presenting the colors, volley, and taps.
When the monument was being updated in 2023, it was envisioned to place engraved pavers at the monument. After much research, the project included engraving approximately 218 4”x8” pavers memorializing those from the Darke County area who died while serving our country. In addition, several 8”x8” family pavers were purchased by families who lost a family member serving.
The Gerald Subler family helped the project come to light with a donation in honor of Gerald. Gerald Francis Subler, son of Helen and Robert Subler, was born in Versailles on December 30, 1947, and graduated from Ansonia High School in 1966. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and, following basic training, began his first 13-month Vietnam tour in 1966. Subler’s second Vietnam tour while attached to the 1st Marine Division, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, B Company, beginning September 11, 1968. During his service in the Vietnam War, Marine Corps Lance Corporal Subler sustained hostile artillery, rocket mortar in South Vietnam, Quang Nam Province, serving in a defensive position as a machine gunner. He lost his life on September 30, 1968, and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.
As the project evolved, several in the community contributed to the project. Fort GreeneVille DAR received donations for the engraving so the 4”x8” pavers could be completed. American Legion Post 140 made a generous donation for the original engraving estimate of pavers. As the research progressed, additional names of the fallen were added. VFW Post 7262 donated for the additional engraving.
Others that contributed to the pavers project were St. Henry Tile Company Inc., City of Greenville, Fitzwater Outdoor Maintenance, Fort GreeneVille Chapter DAR, and Lasting Legacy Memorials. A special thanks goes to those who assisted with researching that included Norm Fullerton and Richard Emery. Also assisting the DAR were former Greenville Mayor Steve William and Kathy Hoblit Bowen. Kathy’s grandmother, Gertrude Hoblit, was the original founder of the Gold Star Mothers Chapter in Greenville and was instrumental in erecting the monument in 1957.
Families were also able to purchase larger pavers with family names to honor the immediate family members of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our Nation. “A Gold Star family member is someone whose loved one passed away while serving the nation. On June 23, 1936, the 74th United States Congress designated the last Sunday of September as Gold Star Mothers’ Day. In 2011, in a proclamation by President Barack Obama, the observance was renamed to include the recognition of Gold Star family members”, as stated on the United States government website. The pavers will be a fine addition when honoring the Gold Star Mothers and Families this coming last Sunday of September.
Please plan to attend and give thanks to those who served and paid the ultimate price in order to have the freedoms we have today. The dedication will be held rain or shine.
