Mayor of Benton Ridge leads fund for memorial site

Mayor Joe Kennedy of Benton Ridge is leading an effort to raise money for a memorial site at the Village of Benton Ridge Park to commemorate a bomber crash on November 2, 1941. The bomber holding five members of the bomber unit deployed from Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, on a foggy morning. Local residents first heard the plane around 9 a.m. and soon after heard and witnessed the crash. The crash happened at State Route 235 and Township Road 47. Witnesses from both Benton Ridge and Rawson headed to the crash site in an effort to help. The idea of the memorial was first presented to the Benton Ridge Village Council by local historian Robert Tong, who is now designing the memorial with the help of Coldren-Crates Funeral Home. Council approved the idea and plans to proceed with the project. "The Village has always had a large number of present and past members of the community who served in the military," Mayor Joe Kennedy said. "So this seemed to fit in with what we are and have done for veterans." Not far from the location of the future memorial stood a tower that was used by women to spot enemy aircraft that might be flying over the area during World War II. The location is rich in historical importance. "While many members of the community are aware of the plane crash, we do not want this event to be forgotten. Our history is very important," Mayor Joe Kennedy said. The memorial site will be placed off of the northeast corner of the main parking lot in the Village of Benton Ridge Park. It will consist of a memorial stone with a color picture of the bomber unit, as well as a plaque with a dedication and the story of the crash. The mayor's goal is to raise $10,000 for the site with about 45% of that already raised. Donations are still being accepted, and the mayor is asking local residents and other groups to contribute to the fund. The goal is to have these funds raised by June 30. Donations may be mailed to: Village of Benton Ridge, PO Box 5, Benton Ridge, OH 45816 For more information, direct questions to Mayor Joe Kennedy at 419-348-4262 or email mayor45816@gmail.com