Memorial Day Remembrance and our Newly Improved War Memorial
As Memorial Day weekend approaches, it's important to remember and honor the brave patriots who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms. We should take a moment to reflect on their selflessness and dedication to our country.
For this Memorial Day remembrance, I am pleased to announce that the City of Sherwood, working with the American Legion Argonne Post, has recently erected two new monuments in Veterans Park, showcasing the emblems of the six different military branches.
These stunning monuments are a fitting tribute to those who have served and sacrificed for our country. They have been placed on two special memorials on either side of the present park monument, which already honors the local soldiers who served in World War II. I hope these monuments will serve as a reminder of our gratitude and respect for all those who have served our country.
In addition to these beautiful monuments, we have installed three new flagpoles to proudly fly the American, POW, and Oregon state flags. The park has been expanded and includes benches for people to enjoy the upgraded memorial and the park.
It should be noted that Sherwood is one of the first cities to have a war memorial to honor those that serve in the Space Force. This is important to me as my niece serves in the U.S. Space Force, and I could not be prouder of her.
The Memorial Park in Sherwood has a rich history dating back to the dedication of its original monument in 1945. The monument was rededicated in 2000 for the overall Memorial Park dedication. This beautiful park is home to the Smock House, which belonged to one of our town's founders, J.C. Smock, dating back to 1860. Additionally, the Morback House, once the city hall and home to one of our early city leaders, is now home to the Sherwood Historical Society and Museum. The Memorial Park is a true gem for our community, and we are proud to have such a historic and meaningful place in the heart of our town.
This project was made possible by volunteers from the American Legion Argonne Post, partnering with city staff, and a generous grant awarded by the state of Oregon.
Once again, I want to thank everyone who made this project possible and remind our community of the importance of honoring our veterans. They have made incredible sacrifices to protect our freedom, and we must show them the appreciation and respect they deserve.
A formal dedication ceremony for the monuments will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 3rd, at the park at 22547 S.W. Main St. I encourage all residents of Sherwood to attend this event and show our appreciation for our veterans. The Sherwood American Legion will be part of the dedication ceremony and contribute to the event with a color guard and serve hot dogs, chips, and water.
If you are looking for ways to support our veterans, please contact the American Legion Argonne Post Argonne Post 56 in Sherwood. They have excellent programs to support our war veterans and always seek volunteers, donations, and support as they honor those who serve.