Two honorable volunteers of the Lake Orion Veterans Memorial were finally recognized in an official manner, unbeknownst to them.
Steve Leach of Lake Orion’s Custom Welding was honored first at the Coffee with a Veteran event last Saturday, with an engraved plaque from the Veterans Memorial.
Leach and his team fabricated the exquisite bronze statue, Tears of Sadness and Joy, in the heart of the memorial, and he has provided endless service to the Memorial when needed.
Ron Price, President of the Lake Orion Horseshoe Club, was also surprised with an engraved brick for his enthusiastic commitment to the Lake Orion Community. Most recently the Lake Orion Horseshoe Club partnered with the Village of Lake Orion and constructed a horseshoe pit at Green’s Park for patrons to enjoy this summer.
Both Leach and Price, however, are known to stop what they are doing and lend a helping hand.
‘They have put together all of this beautiful metal work that you see around this pavilion, that’s only one item. The biggest item was our main monument, our bronze statue, which had to be reassembled, welded, sanded down, primed and stained, and erected. It is incredible. They did it as a donation and as an expression of their patriotism for our country, and of course the Orion Veteran’s Memorial, which blends together,? Chairman Dr. Joe Mastromatteo.
The mastermind behind the plaque and brick was none other local veteran Bob Watros, groundskeeper of the Orion Veterans Memorial. Watros was Orion Township’s first Citizen of the Month in May for maintaining the Memorial night and day with a smile on his face, and underwent a similar surprise honoring at a board of trustees meeting.