Plain Township

Salute to Troops

Agenda

Special Guest Introduction Mission – Purpose Veteran Demographic Memorial Design & Space

Requirements Cost /Funding/Maintenance Vested – Interested Parties Time Table Future Programming Use

Special Guests

Gold Star Mother – Thea DrydenMother to Stacy Ann DrydenLance Corporal, US Marine Corp. January 16, 1998 – October 19, 2008Operation Iraqi Freedom

Gold Star Mother – Kathy PatronMother to US Marine Corp Sergeant Danny Patron

Staff Sergeant Bryan Bowman – Ohio Army National Guard with the 737th Forward Support CompanyVeterans Outreach & Constituent Services – Congressman Jim Renacci (16th- OH)

Veterans in Attendance

Mission - Purpose

A permanent memorial site to recognize the service and

sacrifices of those who have served and those who have paid the ultimate price of freedom

Demographic Breakdown – Plain Township & Stark County

To Summarize

The VA estimates that Stark County has 29,509 veterans.

The VA also estimates that 70% of veterans live in urban areas; however, they term urban as communities with a population of 50,000.

Plain Township makes up 14% of Stark County.

Proposed Site Location

Memorial Design & Space Requirements

• Two tiered memorial with peak of hill marked by 16’ black and grey granite Memorial

• The vision includes a walking Path to and around the memorial in the form of ribbon.• Ideally incorporate community sponsored pavers.

Grief never ends…but it changes. It’s a passage. Not a place to stay.

Grief is not a sign of weakness. Nor a lack of faith.

It is the price of love.

Cost/Funding/Maintenance• Cost:

• Main Memorial Cost $66,000• Include Four (4) benches plus two polished jet black

monuments including lettering and setting – Total Investment $74,000 plus tax

• Funding Sources:• Foundations• Corporate/Business Sponsorship• Veteran and Civic Organizations• Private Donations

• Pavers/Benches• Maintenance:

• Concrete sealing • Weeding

Vested – Interested Parties

Plain Local Schools – STEM & Arts

Local Universities Architecture and Arts Programs

Veterans Groups – VFW, American Legion

Stark Parks Historical Society Plain Township Rotary Gold Star Families Blue Star Families

Buckeye Council – Boy Scouts of America

Community Foundations

The Patriot Project – Dr. Tim Novelli

Flags of Freedom

Time Table

Official renaming of “Plain Township Schneider Park” to “Plain Township Veterans Park” on Veterans Day November 11, 2015 as part of Salute to Veterans

2016 – Set initial seven flag poles on Schneider Park hillside

Fall 2016/Spring 2017 Set Key Stone monument

Future Program Use

Salute to Troops Series – Memorial Day, 4th of July, Veterans Day

Plain Local Schools educational classroom opportunities

Collaboration with Plain Township Rotary on future Flag Program

Gold Star Family Celebration Annually - September

My Yellow Ribbon

As I wait patiently for your return, a yellow ribbon I do tie for thee, my thoughts and prayers are all well earned, hoping you’ll come home to me.

And if you don’t, I will understand, my eyes I do cry, as I want to see, you did what you had to do in

that foreign land.My yellow ribbon I will keep for thee.

Salute to Troops

Thank YouQuestions