Linton American Legion Post No. 22 to dedicate new veteran's park on Nov. 11

NEW PARK: American Legion Post No. 22 Trustee Jim Workman, of Linton, looks over the newly constructed park that is a tribute to all veterans. The park will be dedicated Nov. 11 in a 4 p.m. ceremony. (Greene County Daily World/Nick Schneider) [Order this photo]

American Legion Post No. 22 will formally dedicate its new Veteran's Mall Park in a 4 p.m. ceremony Nov. 11.

Post 22 Commander Jerry Ward called the new park area -- located on the south side of the Legion building on South Main Street -- a community tribute to the veterans from all branches of military service.

"We had this empty lot on the south side of the Legion and just decided to go ahead and do something for the veterans with this," Ward said. "We're supposed to have a stone monument put in there. It's going to be done before Veteran's Day."

The park also consists of a wooden gazebo, three flag poles for the American, Indiana and POW/MIA flags, bushes, flowers and a variety of trees.

Ward said the Legion will spend about $21,000 on the park improvements by the time it is dedicated. Perk-A-Lawn, of Vincennes, was contracted for the gazebo purchase and to do the landscaping project.

"We've been talking about doing something with this empty lot for the last couple of years. We've really worked on it pretty hard trying to get something done with it," Ward explained.

Ward, who served as 7th District Commander last year, pointed out the park is for the community's veterans and came about by the hard work of the Legion's trustees, Jim Workman, Bob Brinson and John Bemis.

"It (the park) is for the use of the veterans. It's going to be a public deal for the veterans to use. If we have something going on outside, then the veterans can go out there and sit in it and enjoy it," Ward explained.

Workman, a 51-year member of Post No. 22, added, "I am very proud of it and I hope the people in town will appreciate this."

Post No. 22 has about 500 veteran members -- not including members of the Auxiliary and Sons of the Legion (SLA) organizations.

"I'm excited about it. This is just something we wanted to get done and make it look real, real nice. We've had a lot of compliments on it already. I think it is going to be fantastic," Ward stated.

The dedication program will be simple, but dignified, Ward noted.

It is open to anyone in the community.

Merle Blume, of Linton, who serves as the chaplain for Post No. 22's funeral detail will give the benediction.

Ward, along with Linton Mayor Tom Jones, will deliver brief remarks.

The honor guard detail, which regularly attends area funerals for veterans, will also give a customary 21-gun salute during this Veteran's Day dedication ceremony.

"The dedication program is open to anybody and everybody that wants to come," he stressed.

Ward said he hopes this veteran's park will let the community know better what the American Legion stands for.

"We do a lot of community projects that we do as the American Legion. I love the American Legion," he concluded.

Ward said the dedication program will be a fitting conclusion to a very busy Veteran's Day for the Legionaries, who will be involved with two school programs as well as an annual program at Glenburn Home.

"The program at Glenburn Home (2 p.m.) is fantastic. Those people out there, some of them this just brings tears to their eyes. We present them with a (American) flag and give them a pin and just thank them for their services to our country. It's just a great deal," Ward said.