Oxford builds veterans' memorial in heart of village
Oxford honored its veterans on November 11 with a ceremony and memorial dedication with several speakers. (Zachary Meseck photo)
OXFORD – Village of Oxford has built a memorial and dedicated it to local veteran in LaFayette Park.
Officials held a memorial service on November 11 at the memorial brick walkway and thanked veterans of all wars for their service and sacrifice.
The event was part of a Veteran's Day ceremony, and according to Oxford Historian Vicky House, approximately 500 people were in attendance.
House said Retired United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Gregg Johnson read the roll call of the deceased. She added American Legion Post 376 Commander Darlene Ardron, Auxillary Unit 376 President President Jan Pollard, and Oxford Mayor Terry Stark also spoke at the event.
Stark's speech highlighted the importance of Oxford's veteran memorial and the reason behind uniting and honoring veterans of all wars.
"As you may have observed we also have over 500 special Oxford connected veterans in attendance today," said Stark. "We know in our hearts they have yearned to make this long journey home and to no longer just be known on Memorial Day cemetery visits to their graves in scattered lonely gardens of stone or in the recesses of a forgotten veteran’s mind in lonely nights at home."
He said the veterans whose names were engraved in the memorial's bricks represent American people who were separated by time, distance, and circumstance.
"However, they have now all made the journey home to Oxford to be united together, woven into the community fabric, and to be recognized and honored for their common bond of dedicated service to their country and community," said Stark. "Not just on Memorial Day or Veterans Day, but every day."
He said every person whose name you see in the memorial has a story to tell, and each time an individual walks the memorial's path they have the opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate a veteran's sacrifice for their county.
"Hence forth from this day let it be known to all that these veterans and more to arrive in the spring now have a safe place to call home, not one of them ever alone, all comforted each day, by those who walk the path, that regardless of time, distance, or circumstance, this is their community, their home, their America," said Stark.
House said Stark's speech was well received by many individuals in attendance. She added that LaFayette Park's fountain and memorial make for a historical monument in which the area can take pride.
"In 1884 the fountain was donated to the Village of Oxford from the Cole family to honor their recently deceased parents," said House. "When the family raised enough money, they paid to have the fountain installed in LaFayette Park."
She said for those who wish to continue to add to Oxford's history of charity, and want to support a veteran without surviving family, feel free to reach out to her for more information.
"For those who wish to honor veterans who may not otherwise be recognized or cared for, we have a list of veterans to sponsor with the holiday season approaching," said House. "If anyone is interested in making a donation they can reach out to me."
House can be reached by phone at (607) 843-9531 for more information.
Officials held a memorial service on November 11 at the memorial brick walkway and thanked veterans of all wars for their service and sacrifice.
The event was part of a Veteran's Day ceremony, and according to Oxford Historian Vicky House, approximately 500 people were in attendance.
House said Retired United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Gregg Johnson read the roll call of the deceased. She added American Legion Post 376 Commander Darlene Ardron, Auxillary Unit 376 President President Jan Pollard, and Oxford Mayor Terry Stark also spoke at the event.
Stark's speech highlighted the importance of Oxford's veteran memorial and the reason behind uniting and honoring veterans of all wars.
"As you may have observed we also have over 500 special Oxford connected veterans in attendance today," said Stark. "We know in our hearts they have yearned to make this long journey home and to no longer just be known on Memorial Day cemetery visits to their graves in scattered lonely gardens of stone or in the recesses of a forgotten veteran’s mind in lonely nights at home."
He said the veterans whose names were engraved in the memorial's bricks represent American people who were separated by time, distance, and circumstance.
"However, they have now all made the journey home to Oxford to be united together, woven into the community fabric, and to be recognized and honored for their common bond of dedicated service to their country and community," said Stark. "Not just on Memorial Day or Veterans Day, but every day."
He said every person whose name you see in the memorial has a story to tell, and each time an individual walks the memorial's path they have the opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate a veteran's sacrifice for their county.
"Hence forth from this day let it be known to all that these veterans and more to arrive in the spring now have a safe place to call home, not one of them ever alone, all comforted each day, by those who walk the path, that regardless of time, distance, or circumstance, this is their community, their home, their America," said Stark.
House said Stark's speech was well received by many individuals in attendance. She added that LaFayette Park's fountain and memorial make for a historical monument in which the area can take pride.
"In 1884 the fountain was donated to the Village of Oxford from the Cole family to honor their recently deceased parents," said House. "When the family raised enough money, they paid to have the fountain installed in LaFayette Park."
She said for those who wish to continue to add to Oxford's history of charity, and want to support a veteran without surviving family, feel free to reach out to her for more information.
"For those who wish to honor veterans who may not otherwise be recognized or cared for, we have a list of veterans to sponsor with the holiday season approaching," said House. "If anyone is interested in making a donation they can reach out to me."
House can be reached by phone at (607) 843-9531 for more information.
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