By GEORGE H. NEWMAN | The Tampa Tribune
PLANT CITY - Five years after organizers and supporters first decided to honor veterans with a local monument, their efforts are going to pay off.
A dedication celebration is planned from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. July 1 theVeterans Memorial Park at Courier Field. The ceremonies will include the unveiling of a sculpture designed as a tribute to those who served in the U.S. armed forces since the days of Valley Forge.
"This project has been an ongoing and determined effort by all of the monument committee members," said Jennifer Closshey, project committee chairwoman and co-director of the Plant City Memorial Foundation. "I'm very proud of what has been accomplished. I want to thank everyone, on behalf of the committee, for the contributions, time and effort donated to make this project complete."
Over the years several locations, monument designs and completion dates have been considered and sought by the volunteer committee in partnership with the city. To finally have the dedication in sight is an exciting prospect for many of those involved.
"Things are really coming together now," said B.M. "Mac" Smith Jr., a Navy veteran, foundation president, donor and committee member. He said businessman Ed Verner "saw this project as a worthy effort five years ago. He and Jennifer and a large number of people have pulled together, in a public/private partnership with the city, to make this work."
"I think an awful lot of people are going to be pleasantly surprised when they see the monument and this park in all its glory."
Marsha Passmore, the dedication day committee chairwoman, has helped planned the agenda for the event.
"The dedication should be a very memorable event," Passmore said. "After giving people an opportunity to look around the park we will unveil the sculpture and its base, showing what will be a lasting tribute to our veterans from every generation."
The unveiling of the Freedom Rising monument and dedication of the B.M. Smith Family Gazebo and the Verner Family Foundation Flagpole Standard will be part of the program.
"All along we have envisioned dedicating the veterans memorial sculpture on or close to a patriotic national holiday like Memorial Day, Veterans Day, or, as in this case Independence Day," Closshey said. "Dedicating the park on July 1 will allow it to be open to the public during the holiday weekend. It's very appropriate and exciting for us all."
The park's centerpiece is the monument.
The six-sided base includes emblems of the U.S. armed forces: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy. The sixth side will have the naming plaque, giving historic information regarding the monument park. The 14-foot granite monument will be topped with a bronze sculpture created by artist Duane Scott of Sarasota, depicting a bald eagle clutching an American flag as the raptor appears ready to soar into the sky. The monument is at the north end of Courier Field, on the west side of N. Wheeler Street, two blocks north of Bruton Memorial Library. Parking is available west and south of the park.
Don Walden, an Army Vietnam veteran and monument committee member, believes that time will enhance the public appeal of the park.
"I think the veterans monument park will become an important focal point in the city," Walden said. "The park and the monument depict the role paid by all our veterans and their families. It is a lasting tribute to the men and women who have served our country throughout its history."
The park also includes such features as a gazebo, walkway with bricks engraved with the names of area veterans, and landscaping with many plants with flowers or foliage in red, white and blue. Showalter Construction, the contractor hired by the monument foundation, has contributed to the successful completion of the park, Closshey said.
Cassandra Banning, immediate past president of the Plant City Garden Club, said volunteers spent many hours landscaping the 2-acre park at Wheeler and Herring streets.
"Members of the club designed the landscaping over two month's time," Banning said. "We then had several plantings during the past six months to spread mulch, get plants and shrubbery in the ground, and attend to other details. It has been a big effort by all of the volunteers."
The engraved bricks are among about 8,000 bricks that make up the gathering area that surrounds the sculpture. An individual brick can be purchased for engraving for $150. Proceeds will be used to maintain the park. An order form to purchase engraved bricks can be found at www.veteransmonument.com.
Closshey said order forms can also be picked up in the first floor foyer at City Hall, 302 W. Reynolds St.; the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, 106 N. Evers St. or the Plant City Photo Archives, 106 S. Evers St.
The Website also includes facts, history and naming rights opportunities in the park.
IF YOU GO
The dedication ceremony will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the park at Wheeler and Heering streets. There is no admission charge.
Here are a few of the program highlights
Joe Sedita will serve as the master of ceremonies, and Commissioner Rick Lott will provide the welcome on behalf of the city.
Patriotic music will play throughout the park as guests arrive, and following the program.
Refreshments will include cupcakes and lemonade provided by Sweetbay Supermarkets. Culligan Water is providing water, and Blue Bell Ice Cream will be served.
Taylor Rental is providing a large tent on site
Seating will include 200 red chairs provided by the Florida Strawberry Festival
The Florida Strawberry Festival queen and her court will hand out programs
.
The invocation will be by the Rev. Timothy S. Knighten Sr. from St. Mary's Community Church.
Durant ROTC will present the colors
Former Florida Strawberry Festival queen Kristen Smith will sing "The Star Spangled Banner."
Committee chairwoman Jennifer Closshey will give a project overview and special recognitions.
Keynote comments by B.M. "Mac" Smith Jr. and Ed Verner.
The unveiling of Freedom Rising
The ceremony will conclude with everyone in attendance singing the first verse of "America the Beautiful"
Reporter George H. Newman can be reached at (813) 731-8161
