“No
person was ever honored for what he received.
Honor has
been the reward for what he gave.”
– Calvin
Coolidge
We must use the word
“honor” in description with great care, for this abstract
concept includes both measures of personal values (ethos) and norms
of social interaction (code of behavior). We naturally bestow honor
on those who unselfishly sacrifice, even their lives, for the sake of
the goals of an institution.
Just consider the military
code of conduct. Honor is a sacred military value. It provides the
“moral compass” for character and personal conduct in the
service. Honor is bestowed upon those who carry out, act, and live
the values of respect, duty, loyalty, selfless service, integrity and
personal courage in everything they do.
Samuel Johnson, the
renowned lexicographer, in his A Dictionary of the English
Language (1755), defined “honor” as having several
senses, the first of which was "nobility of soul, magnanimity,
and a scorn of meanness.” This infers that honor is reserved for
very special people who willingly apply themselves to serving others
while combating contempt through their unflagging generosity.
On this observance of the
200th Birthday of Lucasville, Ohio, it is imperative we
honor the organization of the Lucasville Area Historical Society. A
relatively small group of residents founded the historical society
March 11, 1985, at the home of Mrs. Guy (Nell) Bumgarner. The club
elected the following as pro tem officers: Gladys Pfleger, President;
Pauline Herald, Vice-President; Irene Preston, Treasurer; Martha
Sisler, Secretary; Alice Barker, Librarian; the hostess Nell
Bumgarner, Historian.
Other members attending
were Ruth Wolfe, Betty Dillow, Jean Nelson, Mary Childers, Octavia N.
McKinley, Irene Zaler, Rosemary Crabtree, Ruby Kelly, Jeanne Sheets,
Mary M. Wolfe, Jesse Comer, and Mary T. Purdy.
The LAHS stated their primary objective was “to aid in the collection, recording, and preservation of documents, publications, pictures, artifacts and other articles of historical information and interest.” The accomplishments of the historical society over the last 34 years have immeasurably enriched the community, the state, and the nation. The organization is so much more that print and photos. It is a critical outreach in the community.
The LAHS stated their primary objective was “to aid in the collection, recording, and preservation of documents, publications, pictures, artifacts and other articles of historical information and interest.” The accomplishments of the historical society over the last 34 years have immeasurably enriched the community, the state, and the nation. The organization is so much more that print and photos. It is a critical outreach in the community.
We truly do honor these
incredible original members – all ladies – whose vision led to
the establishment of one of the best small-town historical
associations in existence. We honor them because they exemplify the
soul of the community. The work they did to form an incredible
repository of historical information and to serve their community
through sharing the heritage and traditions of the past is
monumental.
Present-day members marvel
at the extensive library compiled by these dedicated, volunteer
public servants. Thanks to these few charter members, all residents
can now explore the colorful human affairs of the area's past through
the society's large body of papers and other artifacts. It is
difficult to conceive the extent of the work accomplished by the
founding members. We owe them a great debt of gratitude. And, thanks
to their efforts, the LAHS continues to grow and to serve – a
positive illumination made possible by the dream of those strong
women.
The Ohio State
University's Center For Folklore Studies, currently working with the
Lucasville Area Historical Society and Valley High School students,
describes the Lucasville Area Historical Society …
“The Lucasville
Historical Society has been a critical fixture in the town of
Lucasville, Ohio, serving to bridge the gap between local history and
personal and familial significance. It aims to be a central hub for
historical records from the area, and its large collections, mostly
gleaned from personal donations, demonstrate the penchant for the
preservation and exhibition of history within the community.”
I can only imagine how the
historical society began its incredible journey. However, I do not
have to imagine the results of their efforts – so many of their
outcomes are readily available for public consumption and will be on
display during the Lucasville Bicentennial Celebration of 2019. Thank
you, Nell and Gladys and all you other charter members for your
monumental accomplishment. We, who follow, honor you.
“In the
end, our society will be defined not only by what we create,but by
what we refuse to destroy.”
– John
Sawhill, President and CEO of The Nature Conservancy and President of
New York University
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