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Incorrect sign still points way to his dream

Misspelled road signs leading to Edward Noll's memento will be fixed.

By BETH N. GRAY
Published March 14, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [Times photo: Keri Wiginton] VFW Post 10209 Honor Guard members Mike Harris, left, and Harry Bartlow salute Edward R. Noll at a Tuesday road-naming honoring the late post commander.

SPRING HILL - As folks began arriving Tuesday morning for the dedication of Edward R. Noll Drive off Anderson Snow Road, black plastic sheeting was quickly thrown over the road sign.

Soon, though, people peaked beneath the plastic. Then they labored to remove the "K" that preceded "noll" on the sign.

"Who would have appreciated the mistake more?" County Commissioner David D. Russell Jr. asked the audience of nearly 100 that gathered to memorialize the late commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10209.

Noll died Dec. 26 at age 81 of heart failure. A Navy signalman in World War II, he had served as post commander for nine years and racked up admirers and friends among veterans, politicians and community leaders alike.

The roadway will give access to a new post home, for which Noll negotiated. Ground has not yet been broken, but the new post is expected to open in mid July.

"For the new post, you could see the twinkle in his eye," Sheriff Richard Nugent said during Tuesday's ceremony. "Anytime you went to the post ... he was there. The time and energy he spent. He was such a stand-up guy."

Added County Commissioner Chris Kingsley: "He was not a real flashy guy, but he was there to help. A road isn't flashy. A road takes you someplace."

"This is not the end of the road," said new post Commander John Grotheer. "It is the beginning. At the end is a vision of a new start. Ed thought it would bring in tomorrow's veterans to the post."

Noll's daughter, Eileen Wudarczyk, speaking for the family, said, "He had a passion for family, veterans and the community where he lived.

She had come for the ceremony from Ipswich, Mass.

One of Noll's sons, Joseph of Sanford, said of the VFW: "It was his second life." Added another son, Edward Jr., of Atlanta: "It was his second wife."

Edward Noll Sr.'s wife of nearly 50 years, Gloria, preceded him in death.

County Commissioner Rose Rocco said she knew Noll "as caring about veterans and the community."

"He was always there," said Shirley Anderson, an aide to U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, R-Brooksville.

Russell said Noll "worked very closely (with the County Commission) on a number of issues, not just about veterans, but community and state."

In an earlier interview, Ira Heredia, a VFW volunteer for seven years, outlined some of Noll's pet projects: the Voice of Democracy contest and the Patriotic Pen contest, both with scholarship awards; helping all military organizations; staying in touch with the county office of Health and Human Services to identify children in need, and rounding up groceries for Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets.

"Basically, he was very generous," Heredia said.

Grotheer thanked Noll's children "for sharing Ed's life with us."

As for the misspelling of Noll's name, county officials said a new - corrected - road sign would be in place by today.

Beth Gray may be contacted at graybethn@earthlink.net.

[Last modified March 13, 2007, 23:19:41]