Media

THE COURIER-JOURNAL 
May. 26, 2013

Ground broken on Veterans Memorial Park of Kentucky in Oldham County
Written by Emily Hagedorn

The Veterans Memorial Park of Kentucky will have two missions: to recognize Americans who have served in the military and educate others about their service and sacrifice.

The groundbreaking for the park in Crestwood on Thursday took those into consideration. The ceremony included many veterans, including Medal of Honor recipient Hershel “Woody” Williams, as guest speaker. Young people also took part, including local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and the South Oldham Middle School Eighth Grade Choir.

“We’re living, I believe, in perilous times,” said Williams, who lives in West Virginia and served in the U.S. Marine Corp during World War II. “Occasions such as this are important to keep reminding us of the sacrifices that have been made to keep us a free people.”

The Veterans Memorial Park of Kentucky Inc., a nonprofit organization, created the park, which will be more than 33,000 square feet and will be located in front of South Oldham High School. The park will include a sidewalk with segments representing one year, starting in 1776. If the segment is colored, that means at least one American died in a military action during that year.

The park will also include informational markers, pavilions and a speaking platform. There will be an area designated the “LZ,” where military units and veterans organizations can have markers representing their units and organizations. Bronze dioramas showing military figures throughout history are planned later in the park’s development.