City Park in downtown Ottawa has been transformed into a memorial for veterans from all wars. Along with white crosses, placed to memorialize all 197 veterans from Franklin County that have given the lives for their country.
Along with hundreds of flags, there is a display recreating a version of the Korean War Memorial in Washington DC. Veteran’s Day organizer Ray Shumate says the display is of several soldiers escorting a jeep as they make their way through the countryside. Next year, he plans on adding more soldiers and possibly a memorial wall. According to Shumate, Ottawa has the best Veteran’s Day display west of the Delaware River. Saturday is full of activities in Ottawa. Ceremonies at 9 that morning, the big parade at 10:45 and then all kinds of activities in Forest Park, including battle reenactments and a flag retirement ceremony at 6.
If you really want to be moved, check out City Park. Among the flags, tour through the crosses, walk with the soldiers. Tell your kids and grandkids about the sacrifices these men did for them. The display in City Park will be left up for about 2 weeks.
