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Bethesda’s New ‘Times Square’ Dedicated to Military Veterans

BETHESDA — An “old coal miner from Bethesda” gave his hometown a special gift on Monday and dedicated it to all the men and women who have laid down their lives in military service to our nation.

Robert E. “Bob” Murray, chairman, president and CEO of Murray Energy Corp., is the “old coal miner” in question, and he wanted to impart an important message to the hundreds of onlookers who gathered on the village streets for the ceremony.

“I want to make one thing clear,” Murray said as he began his remarks. “This is not about me, it’s not about my family and it’s not about a clock. This is about the men and women who died giving their lives for our country.”

Murray and his wife, Brenda, both grew up in Bethesda and decided about two years ago to restore the clock that had chimed in the center of the community for nearly a century. That clock had been purchased and dedicated to World War I veterans from the village in 1920; it was removed from service in 2010. By refurbishing the clock, building a new tower for it and surrounding it with a plaza dedicated to all American military veterans, Murray said he and his family were giving Bethesda “its own Times Square.”

Murray talked about the blessings he has experienced in life, including being spared from military service. But he recalled listening to the radio as a child during WWII and hearing the names of local men who had died in battle read over the airwaves each night. That made a lasting impression on him, and he said he felt “honored and privileged” to be able to create the Murray Family Memorial Plaza in memory of them and all veterans.

The new community feature is located next to the municipal building. In addition to the clock, which was originally manufactured by the E. Howard Clock & Watch Co. and placed atop the Orrison Cigar Co. building on Main Street, the plaza features a monument to 81 residents who served in WWI. The plaza was built with bricks and marble that once made up the walls of the recently demolished Bethesda school. It also showcases a cannon that used to adorn the lawn of the school – a piece Murray restored that was used by American soldiers in WWII.

“That cannon fought its way across Italy and at the Battle of the Bulge in France with human beings behind it and in front of it,” Murray said.

Village leaders welcomed the massive crowd following what they said was the largest parade in the community’s history. Hot dogs, hamburgers and water were provided to attendees free of charge, and the volunteer fire department hosted its annual chicken barbecue at the nearby firehouse.

Many local residents and Murray Energy employees who worked on or supported the project, which began in earnest last August, were on hand. The audience also included a number of veterans, all of whom were invited to join Mr. and Mrs. Murray, their sons, daughters-in-law and their grandchildren for the ribbon-cutting to officially open the plaza for use. The entire crowd also was asked to gather on Main Street in front of the site to “duplicate” a photo taken of village residents in 1917.

Michael McCormick, a resident and local attorney, spoke about the history of the clock during the service. He said the clock has “marked the times of our lives” and noted it will now do so for many more generations. Richard Lucas spoke on behalf of the American Legion and thanked attendees for being there and for remembering that veterans’ service is “all about the American people.”

Daniel Lucas, the village’s honorary historian, reminded the audience that the Orrison building was constructed in the wake of a massive fire that destroyed much of the business district in 1917. Although he said many businesses have closed since those days, a revitalization effort is underway.

Mayor Marty Lucas called the occasion “historic,” and village Administrator Dirk Davis thanked everyone who contributed to the project, especially the Murray family and the Murray employees who completed much of the work. Belmont County Commissioner J.P. Dutton was on hand and provided Murray with a certificate of thanks from the county.

“I think it’s important that we recognize my dedicated employees who spent two years resurrecting this clock,” Murray added after the ceremony. He gave special credit to engineer Dan Carpenter and Ernie Martin for their efforts. “Some of them are real geniuses to take this 100-year-old facility and have it keep perfect time, maintenance free.”

The clock features a large bell that chimes the hour every hour, and it marks each half hour with a single ring of the bell.

Reminiscing about his long life in and around Bethesda, Murray told the crowd he would still be around to “haunt” them for a long time.

“And the Bethesda clock will haunt you every hour,” he quipped just as the clock was about to chime 1 p.m. “I’ll be lying over in Ebenzer (Cemetery) and you’ll hear that clock and say, ‘That guy never did go away.'”

The Union Local High School Band, under the direction of April Linard, participated in the parade and provided patriotic music for the event, including the national anthem and the playing of “Taps.” The ULHS Choir, directed by Larry Compston, also took part and provided a musical tribute to Murray and his career in coal – an a capella version of the song “Sixteen Tons.”

A grateful Murray thanked the choir by presenting members with a miniature coal miner fashioned from balloons.

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