Elyria honors the sons and daughters of the city who gave of themselves in the nation’s service so others might remain free, alongside a Vietnam War soldier’s reflection that those who have almost died for it know a flavor of life the protected never will. The tribute spans the War of Independence or Liberty from 1775 to 1783, the War of 1812 from 1812 to 1815, the Indian Wars from 1812 to 1898, the Mexican American War from 1846 to 1848, the Civil War from 1861 to 1865, the Spanish American War from 1898 to 1902, World War I from 1917 to 1918, World War II from 1941 to 1945, the Korean War from 1950 to 1953, the Vietnam War from 1964 to 1975, the Persian Gulf War, and the War on Terrorism, and pairs these conflicts with the ideals of liberty, God, service, allegiance, sacrifice, duty, courage, patriotism, valor, honor, freedom, country, truth, dedication, integrity, and brotherhood.