Representative Haraz N. Ghanbari Honors Medal of Honor Recipient; Otsego High School Students

A community comes together to honor local heroes and role models

May 10, 2019

COLUMBUS—State Representative Haraz N. Ghanbari (R-Perrysburg) honored Navy Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Edward C. Byers Jr., and Ostego High School students Conor Evans and Logan Krompak during a ceremony held Thursday at Ostego High School.

“Wood County is blessed to have people who are truly dedicated to serving their fellow citizens throughout our communities,” said Representative Ghanbari. “It truly is a privilege to honor Master Chief Byers, Mr. Evans, and Mr. Krompak for their service to our communities, state, and nation.”

Representative Ghanbari presented Byers with an Ohio House Resolution honoring his dedication and service to the state and nation which was underscored by his heroic actions as a United States Navy SEAL while deployed to Afghanistan. In 2016, President Barack H. Obama awarded Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Edward C. Byers Jr., United States Navy, the Medal of Honor for distinguishing himself by heroic gallantry as an Assault Team Member attached to a Joint Task Force in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM on December 8, 2012.

During a ceremony Monday, Byers’ name was unveiled on the Medal of Honor monument at the Bowling Green Courthouse, home of the county’s Veterans Memorial site.

In March 2018, Byers announced the creation of the Edward C. Byers Jr. Award to honor local students for Exceptionalism and Heroism. Byers noted these awards have been designed around the premise that 1) It takes a village to raise a champion, 2) Success is a product of an incredible amount of sacrifice, and 3) There is a hero in each one of us.

The first recipients of the Edward C. Byers Jr. Award were Conor Evans and Logan Krompak. Representative Ghanbari presented Evans a House Commendation for Exceptionalism, and Krompak a House Commendation for Heroism.

“It is my hope and vision to see this award grow into an enduring recognition and honor that is cherished by those in the community and revered by college admissions boards throughout the Great State of Ohio,” said Byers when announcing the creation of the award program.

The ceremony was held at Otsego High School in front of a large gathering of community residents and students. House Resolution 133, formally honoring Master Chief Byers, is the first resolution Representative Ghanbari has presented in his recent tenure as the State Representative for residents within Ohio House District 3 encompassing the entirety of Wood County.