a few years ago. Recently, this war memorial was rededicated upon completion of new tennis courts this past summer. A newspaper article in the local paper highlighted the re dedication and it reads:
Henley war memorial rededicated
Locals remember those who served
Family members of those commemorated on the Henley School Memorial plaque celebrated the renovation of the monument Thursday.
This summer the Klamath County School District restored a 1955 monument dedicated to Henley High School graduates and servicemen who lost their lives in World War II.
The previous monument and tennis courts where it was attached, were located to the north of the new location.
After the original tennis courts deteriorated, and the district started the Henley Complex construction, Superintendent Greg Thede contacted the local veterans organization about moving the monument to the new tennis courts.
With the help of the district’s maintenance crew and the Klamath County Veterans Service Office, the nearly 50-pound plaque was taken down in June, cleaned up and remounted.
“Most importantly we are honoring not only these seven individuals but all of our veterans in the basin,” Thede said during the event, “and again thanking everyone who’s been in the service for your service to our country.”
The Klamath Falls’ Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1383 formally dedicated the monument Thursday, and was followed by a rifle salute and Taps.
Accompanied with lights and facing Highway 39, the plaque states “Dedicated to the Memory of James O. M. Keehan, Charles Semon, Lloyd Barnes, Bob Cameron, Bob Hamilton, Rollo Cheyne, Robert Bunnell, who gave their lives in World War II.”
Behind the mounted plaque, is a sign listing the 15 donors and contributors to the new tennis courts and renovated plaque.
Ron Cheyne, nephew of serviceman Rollo Cheyne, attended the event and thought it was a nice way to celebrate those who served.
“They need something like that for the ones that got killed in the war there, they were awfully young, all of them,” Ron said.
Pat Hurd, Ron’s cousin and Rollo’s niece, said she was happy to see the plaque cleaned up, and began to recall memories of Rollo.
“Oh yeah, he was a big tease, and he named his dog after me. I don’t remember the dog’s name, but he always called his dog Pat,” Hurd said with a laugh. “I was very pleased to see that they moved (the plaque). This was nice.”
Hollis Kiger, who played in the band when the monument was dedicated the first time in May of 1955, also attended the ceremony.
“We had quite a few people here and the band played, and we had the team trumpets doing Taps” Kiger recalled. “Glad to see it’s back again and rededicated, and dedicated to those who passed on and gave their lives for our freedom.”