Leesburg Area Veterans Memorial ceremony to be held Nov. 11
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Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2010, will be a special day in Leesburg because the Leesburg Area Veterans Memorial Committee has been planning, raising funds, and working for nearly two years to dedicate a memorial to those who have served to secure our freedoms. Since local people served, local people should honor their service.
The basic concept is to recognize veterans from our area who have served all over the world to preserve our country's freedoms, past, present, and future. Hence, a globe of the world will be the centerpiece of the memorial. Each military branch will be honored with a separate column inscribed with their insignia, and the branch's flag will be flown behind a wall containing the names of each veteran. Above the columns, tied together with the inscribed granite "Leesburg Veterans Memorial," will be perched a solid granite eagle. Behind the main memorial structure is a 4 ft. by 30 ft. granite wall with over 1,100 names of veterans who have served in the various branches of the military. On the vertex, or the joining of the side walls, will be exhibited the charter of the local post of the American Legion, who donated the site for the Memorial. The walkways will be checkered with inscribed messages and names on various sized pavers and plaques purchased by family, friends, and business to honor their heroes.
With much volunteer labor and services, each element in support of the Memorial was purchased through donations, coupled with other funding, has paid the entire cost of the memorial. It has been tough economical times for many, but in some cases it has been easier than the contributions made by some veterans. The Leesburg Area inhabitants make up a great community of ordinary people doing extraordinary accomplishments.
The dedication will be held on site, adjacent to the red light in downtown Leesburg and will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 11 because many ordinary working people have served and are still working today and we want to give them the opportunity to attend the dedication.
-- Submitted by Charles R. Newland, Co-Chair, Leesburg Area Veterans Memorial Committee