Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 649 Memorials

VVA Chapter 649 was incorporated in the State of Ohio as a
501(C)(19) non-profit on September 11, 1992. Written recognition and permission to operate as a chapter was received by the National Council of the Vietnam Veterans of America on September 25th of the same year.

Almost immediately the newly formed group began planning the memorial. Union Township Park on Glen Este - Withamsville Road and Clough Pike was chosen because of its closeness to I-275 and Ohio 32. On August 18, 1992, Union Township Trustees approved plans for the Memorial. The $25,000 cost for the construction came from private donations and pledges from area businesses. Groundbreaking was held on September 12, 1992.

The Monument Includes a surplus Huey Helicopter, mounted on two 12-foot walls that form the pedestal. The helicopter was flown in combat in Vietnam. An engraved honor roll on the wall includes the names of those from Clermont County who were killed in Vietnam.

Dedication of the Memorial occurred on March 21, 1993, with the official name of "The Lt. Andrew Haglage Vietnam Veterans Memorial". Lt. Haglage, a 25-year-old U.S. Marine Corps pilot from Batavia, was killed while flying his helicopter in Vietnam in 1969.