May Freedom Fly: City dedicates Veterans Park – The Daily Advance

Elizabeth City dedicated Veterans Park on Friday to remember, honor, and thank all who have fought for the United States of America.

My hope is that this Veterans Park stands as an eternal symbol of peace, hope and sacrifice and heals the minds and bodies of those who have given so much, said U.S. Coast Guard Cmdr. Bruce Brown, the keynote speaker for Fridays dedication ceremony.

The recently completed park is at the edge of the downtown waterfront at the corner of Elizabeth and Water streets, and positioned prominently next to the Pasquotank River Bridge linking the city with Camden County. The park features a boardwalk, the flags of all the military branches and the flag for prisoners of war, and, in its center, a stone monument containing the words May Freedom Fly and a thanks to all area veterans for their service beneath the U.S. and North Carolina state flags.

Fridays dedication ceremony drew about 100 people, including members of Veterans of Foreign Wars 6060, the Patriot Guard Riders, other veterans groups, various city and Pasquotank County officials, and members of the public.

Developed in consultation with veterans, the park has been a long-desired project for the city. As Brown put it, the park is offered as a place of reflection, gratitude and even grieving for those who have served and even died for their country. The nation has and will continue to rely on veterans in a world thatstrives for peace but falls short of it, he said.

Mayor Joe Peel also spoke briefly at Fridays ceremony, thanking military veterans and also city officials for bringing a long-awaited project to fruition.

This project has been 11 years in the making, Peel said.

Even once the city decided to locate the park next to the bridge, it had to wait until the N.C. Department of Transportation finished the Camden Causeway bridge replacement, Peel explained. City staff explained in interviews Friday that contractor Archer Western used the space as a staging area during construction. That delayed the parks development but also meant DOT paid the city for use of the space.

With almost $50,000 from DOT, plus the city tapping tourism-related funds, the park was completed for about $70,000, City Manager Rich Olson and Assistant City Manager Angela Cole estimated. Olson also noted the city handled the project entirely in house.

The new director of the Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Parks and Recreation Department, Dexter Harris, thanked his predecessor, Bobbi White, plus parks and recreation employees, for their work on the project.

Councilwoman Anita Hummer, councils mayor pro tem, also spoke at Fridays ceremony, saying the park should serve as a daily reminder about veterans and their sacrifices.

Veterans interviewed Friday gave the park good marks.

Retired Naval Chief Petty Officer Richard Thomas and retired Naval Lt. Cmdr. Franklin Gates both praised the park, as did former VFW Post 6060 Cmdr. Allen Alger. Alger also said he felt it appropriate the city relocated aPeace Pole monument from Waterfront Park to Veterans Park.

Current VFW 6060 Cmdr. Ken Sandridge was absent Friday, but his wife, quartermaster Monica Sandridge, called the park gorgeous and said she feels it adds to the respect the city already shows veterans.

The ceremony also included a rifle salute and the playing of taps for fallen veterans. The events master of ceremonies was David Twiford, of Twifords Funeral Home.

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May Freedom Fly: City dedicates Veterans Park - The Daily Advance