Post 22 American Legion Veterans Park dedicated in Linton

Linton Mayor Tom Jones speaks at the dedication of the new American Legion Post No. 22 Veterans Park on South Main Street in Linton. (Greene County Daily World/Nick Schneider) [Order this photo]

Linton area veterans -- both living and deceased -- now have their own park.

Frank Courtney American Legion Post No. 22 dedicated its new Veterans Mall Park in a ceremony late Wednesday afternoon capping off a full day of Veterans Day programs in the area.

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.

World War II veteran Gerald Blanton listens during Wednesday's park dedication ceremony while sitting inside the newly-installed gazebo. (Greene County Daily World/Nick Schneider) [Order this photo]

During the program, Ward said, "We have a lot of veterans out here today and I'm tickled to death to see all of you here."

Post Chaplain Mel Blume offered up a dedication prayer that called to mind the 'supreme sacrifice' of the war dead and the yet to be accounted for MIAs.

"One this Veterans Day we believe this to be a proper time to dedicate this Veterans Memorial Park, a place of honor on behalf of the Frank Courtney Post No. 22 American Legion in Linton, Ind. Most of all we are grateful for the veterans with us yet to day, for those men and women in uniform at this time and those the future. We are grateful also for the leaders here with us today. We look forward to the future with a vision of better things to be," he said.

Keynote speaker Linton Mayor Tom Jones said he remembers with the site of the park was an old apartment building.

"I remember how somethings this didn't look the best, this piece of property. I really want to say thank you to all the members of the Frank Courtney American Legion Post for having the vision to make this dream a reality and such a beautiful place that will be here for years to come," Jones said.

Speaking to the veterans at the ceremony, Mayor Jones said, "We want to honor your past service to our great country, our city, our state, our nation and to our world. You have supported our freedom that we see embarking itself on most countries around the universe."

The mayor pointed out that the dedication service is pointed toward past veterans, but he added, "I think we need to look at those that are presently serving us today around the world, those who are serving us in Iraq, Afghanistan, in the Middle East, where ever they are serving, even locally, protecting our shores and borders, protecting own states, protecting those around the world who so seek that democracy that we have. As we dedicate this park, let's think about the past, the present and those that will serve in the future."

He added, "Congratulations Frank Courtney Post No. 22 for making this such a great beautiful Veterans Memorial Park. I think it is one thing the city of Linton must be very proud of. You should be very proud and as these flowers bloom in the spring we think of an earthly new birth, a new life, a new hope for freedom throughout the world."

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

Post Commander Ward said the Legion spent 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.

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.

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

The Post No. 22 honor guard detail, which regularly attends area funerals for veterans, gave a customary 21-gun salute during this special Veteran's Day dedication ceremony.