USAF Recognition Plaque for the Litten Family
Donation protected
Wright State University’s Veteran Voices Project recently had the unique experience of conducting a veteran interview with the Litten brothers of Fairborn. Larry and Gerry Litten, originally from Flushing, Ohio, along with their five brothers served for an incredible 133 years combined in the United States Air Force.
Their story is one of a truly unique family experience, including having three of the brothers enlisting on the same day and shipping off to basic training together. The Litten brothers parents felt it a true honor to have all seven of their sons serve their country. Larry believes that his family is one of only two families in history to have a USAF service record of this caliber. His pride in his family’s contribution to this country through their committed service to the United States Air Force, has inspired him to seek to have their contributions honored both locally in Fairborn and at their birthplace in Flushing.
In order to accomplish this, he has reached out to candidate for State Representative for his district (Ohio’s 73rd), Kim McCarthy, to ask for her assistance in this effort.
Larry tells the story of his childhood, one of growing up during what were simpler times in small town Ohio, an experience he recalls with great fondness. These were days of working in the local dairy farm with his brothers, and nights sleeping out under the trees in his front yard, listening to music on the radio. There were not many opportunities around at the time for young men like himself and his brothers, so the military presented them a good opportunity to both do something meaningful in service to their country, while enabling each of them to send back needed funds via allotment checks for their parents. This money enabled their parents to build themselves a brand new house in 1964, which his mother lived in till her death. Larry continued to send her money long after the house was paid off, which helped her immensely.
There are a number of avenues currently available to permanently memorialize the deserved recognition of the Litten family and their dedicated service to our country:
*** There is a Memorial Park at the National Museum of the United States Air Force which offers numerous bronze plaques that can be dedicated to individuals or groups. ($3,000 - $4,500)
*** Wright State University offers a number of different ways to honor veterans via their upcoming Champion Garden that is being planned by the Veteran’s Military Center. ($500 - $1,000)
*** The Belmont County District Library in Martins Ferry near Larry’s home town of Flushing, has also committed to displaying a plaque honoring his family’s service, if one is made available to them. ($250)
Our goal is to raise the funds necessary to place a plaque at either one or all of these facilities, in order to honor Larry, Gerry and their entire family for their collective service in the USAF, and for their dedicated commitment to maintaining peace and stability for our country.
Now in his 80’s, Larry does not want to wait any longer to honor the lives and service of the Litten brothers, as three of them have already passed away. With Kim's help, we are hoping that the people of District 73 and the Miami Valley will step up to thank the Litton's for their service and show Larry that he and his family’s contributions to our nation are valued and worthy of honoring.
Their story is one of a truly unique family experience, including having three of the brothers enlisting on the same day and shipping off to basic training together. The Litten brothers parents felt it a true honor to have all seven of their sons serve their country. Larry believes that his family is one of only two families in history to have a USAF service record of this caliber. His pride in his family’s contribution to this country through their committed service to the United States Air Force, has inspired him to seek to have their contributions honored both locally in Fairborn and at their birthplace in Flushing.
In order to accomplish this, he has reached out to candidate for State Representative for his district (Ohio’s 73rd), Kim McCarthy, to ask for her assistance in this effort.
Larry tells the story of his childhood, one of growing up during what were simpler times in small town Ohio, an experience he recalls with great fondness. These were days of working in the local dairy farm with his brothers, and nights sleeping out under the trees in his front yard, listening to music on the radio. There were not many opportunities around at the time for young men like himself and his brothers, so the military presented them a good opportunity to both do something meaningful in service to their country, while enabling each of them to send back needed funds via allotment checks for their parents. This money enabled their parents to build themselves a brand new house in 1964, which his mother lived in till her death. Larry continued to send her money long after the house was paid off, which helped her immensely.
There are a number of avenues currently available to permanently memorialize the deserved recognition of the Litten family and their dedicated service to our country:
*** There is a Memorial Park at the National Museum of the United States Air Force which offers numerous bronze plaques that can be dedicated to individuals or groups. ($3,000 - $4,500)
*** Wright State University offers a number of different ways to honor veterans via their upcoming Champion Garden that is being planned by the Veteran’s Military Center. ($500 - $1,000)
*** The Belmont County District Library in Martins Ferry near Larry’s home town of Flushing, has also committed to displaying a plaque honoring his family’s service, if one is made available to them. ($250)
Our goal is to raise the funds necessary to place a plaque at either one or all of these facilities, in order to honor Larry, Gerry and their entire family for their collective service in the USAF, and for their dedicated commitment to maintaining peace and stability for our country.
Now in his 80’s, Larry does not want to wait any longer to honor the lives and service of the Litten brothers, as three of them have already passed away. With Kim's help, we are hoping that the people of District 73 and the Miami Valley will step up to thank the Litton's for their service and show Larry that he and his family’s contributions to our nation are valued and worthy of honoring.
Organizer
Kim McCarthy
Organizer
Xenia, OH