By Lisa Carolin
Amidst all the positive changes that are part of rebuilding and augmenting Timbertown Park in Chelsea is the creation and naming of the Border-to-Border (B2B) trailhead.
At the May 20 meeting of Chelsea City Council, members unanimously approved naming the trailhead posthumously after Joel Gentz, a Chelsea High School graduate who died while serving in the Air Force in 2010.
Following his mom Judy Gentz’s remarks about how honored the family was (during public comment), the entire chamber erupted in applause during the May 20 meeting.
The trailhead is the start of the trail where information such as maps, distances, history, flora and fauna, and emergency information can be found.
The City of Chelsea’s guidelines for naming city property include, “Outstanding accomplishments by an individual for the good of the community.”
Chelsea City Council member and Parks Commissioner George Merkel nominated Gentz because he said, “This trailhead naming would honor his legacy as a Chelsea resident who gave his life in service to our town, state, and country, and as someone who so enthusiastically enjoyed the outdoors.”
Gentz’s parents are honored and thrilled that the B2B trailhead at Timbertown will be named in their son Joel’s memory.
“We recognize that Joel was raised by the Village of Chelsea quite literally,” said Judy Gentz, paying respect to both his teachers in the Chelsea School District as well as coaches and other leaders for teaching Joel about team work and leadership. “We camped every year, went on several multi-day family backpacking trips, enjoyed cycling and running including participating in triathlons. Joel shared his love of the environment with his wife, Kathryn, and they enjoyed camping and hiking together and with their dog.”
Joel graduated from Chelsea High School in 2002. Former Chelsea High School Principal and Chelsea School District Assistant Superintendent Julie Deppner said, “Joel Gentz was an incredibly accomplished young man and it was my pleasure to know him when he was a student at Chelsea High School. Joel represents everything we desire in our children and fellow community members: Honor, strength, humility, and courage.”
Joel graduated from Purdue University with a degree in aerospace engineering while participating in the Air Force ROTC program, and enlisted in the Air Force in 2008 where he became a Combat Rescue Officer, whose mission was to recover injured or downed troops and provide emergency medical treatment.
Air Force 1st Lt. Joel C. Gentz was killed in action in 2010, six weeks into his deployment in Afghanistan, while assisting a wounded soldier, along with three other airmen.
