At the sixth annual Summerfest, held in downtown Newark, the city honored military and first responders with a Hometown Heroes ceremony. The event took place on August 1st.
“This is a program that we started back in 2017 with Mayor Hall and some of the city officials, and they granted us permission to allow us to honor the public, the veterans, with their own flag, their own banner. So this is something that is very near and dear to my heart, because I do believe that’s something we should never forget. Don’t ever forget what the veterans did for us,” said Kelly Jones from the Matesich Distributing Co. during the ceremony.
Lance Corporal Gary Berry was recognized as this year’s Licking County Hometown Hero. Gary has had an impressive career and has been awarded several medals during his lifetime, including the National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, and the Presidential Unit Citation, as well as a Combat Action Ribbon. In 1970, Gary was honorably discharged from active duty as an E3 Lance Corporal, with his final discharge from inactive status in February 1972. Following his military service, he served 26 years in the federal government as a criminal investigator and retired as Acting Director of the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Protective Services Division.
The 2026 Hometown Hero Banner Recipients were also recognized. Among them were veterans and first responders.
“Newark Police Alumni Association really jumped in, and they purchased flags for these police officers up here. That warms my heart in a way that you have no idea. Because that tells me that not only did these gentlemen serve our country, now they’re serving our community,” said Jones before concluding the ceremony.
Tribute banners are hanging on light poles around historic Downtown Newark and will be displayed for a year. Banners are typically purchased by family members, and when it is time to take them down, the banners are returned to the purchaser.
More information about Hometown Heroes of Licking County can be found at facebook.com/hometownheroesoflc.
