Greene County Veterans Memorial Park Dedication to be Held on Memorial Day
Come celebrate the dedication of the Greene County Veterans Memorial Park during Memorial Day at 2 p.m. on Monday, May 31, 2021. The program will consist of musical selections from Heaven Bound Ministries, appropriate military protocols, dedication of the monument, and appreciation of donors. Light refreshments will be available in the pavilion following the ceremony. We recommend bringing a lawn chair to make more seating available.
Born from the demonstrated patriotism of Greene Countians at the Vietnam Veterans Traveling Memorial Wall in 2017, the same committee thought there should to be a permanent memorial recognizing all veterans in anyway related to Greene County. Although there are community memorials, there was not a consolidated Greene County veterans place of recognition. Nestled between the Greene County Historical Society and the WWI Monument, it’s a fitting place of veneration and remembrance.
“This Veterans Memorial Park is a direct result of the genuine patriotism of the people of Greene County. When we brought in the Vietnam Veterans Traveling Memorial Wall, people showed up in droves to honor the men and women on the wall and all veterans. Greene County has a deep appreciation for veterans and needs an outlet to show this appreciation. That’s how the Greene County Veterans Memorial Park came to be.” stated Connie Hart, a Committee Member.
The circle memorial includes a parklike setting with the memorial, flagpole, and granite benches that encourage visitors to walk around and remember ALL veterans who have faithfully served our country. There are also granite benches sponsored by businesses, organizations and families honoring our veterans. Additionally, a pavilion with picnic tables offers a nice shaded area for rest or an outdoor lunch opportunity.
The memorial itself consists of a single black granite tablet displaying the United States Armed Forces service emblems flanked by gray granite tablets. Each tablet is custom etched, honoring a total of 300 service members. The committee plans to add two additional granite tablets in the near future and order forms will be available at the dedication or on Facebook at Greene County Veterans Memorial Park.
Waynesburg VFW Post #4793 will display their inaugural “Field of Flags” at the dedication ceremony. Sponsors of the flags may retrieve their flag after the ceremony or leave it in place and they will be collected to display again at a future ceremony honoring veterans.
The Greene County Veterans Memorial Park is located at 900 Rolling Meadows Road in Waynesburg between the tennis courts and the Greene County Historical Society Museum which will also be open on Memorial Day. The World War I Memorial is also in the same vicinity. Limited handicapped parking is available near the memorial and there will be shuttle buses running between the Walmart parking lot and the memorial.
For more information check the Greene County Veterans Memorial Park Facebook page or contact Connie Hart at (724) 852-1252 or cmhart@windstream.net.
Memorial Day Events in Greene County
Sunday – May 30, 2021
The Brooks-Crago American Legion Post No. 816 of Rices Landing, PA will hold services as follows:
- 1:30pm – Assembly for Legionnaires and Legion Riders will be at the Brooks-Crago American Legion Post #816
- 2pm – Legionnaires and Legion Riders will proceed to the Hewitt Cemetery.
- Followed by a salute to the deceased by the Honor Guard.
- Following this service, Legionnaires and Legion Riders will proceed to Crucible/St Mary’s Cemetery. Followed by a salute to the deceased by the Honor Guard
The James R. Maxon American Legion Post No. 992 of Mt. Morris, PA will participate in the listed services::
- 11am – Services at Kiger Cemetery (HG/FS).
- 11:20am – Claughton Chapel Cemetery (HG/FS).
The Greensboro VFW Post No. 6303, consisting of the Carmichaels American Legion Post No. 400, Carmichaels VFW Post No. 3491; and Greensboro VFW Post No. 6303, will participate in the listed services:
- 11am – Garard Fort Cemetery Service
- Followed with salute to the deceased, and placement of the wreath at the monument. HG/FS
- 1pm – Greensboro VFW Honor Roll with Colonel Mike Belding, USMC (Retired) as guest speaker.
- Followed with a salute to the deceased and placement of the wreath to honor our deceased at the monument. HG/FS
Monday – May 31, 2021
The Carmichaels American Legion Post No. 400, consisting of members from Carmichaels American Legion Post No. 400; and Carmichaels VFW Post No. 3491 will participate in the listed services:
- 1pm – Laurel Point Cemetery services with State Representative Pam Snyder as guest speaker.
- Includes: Frank Ricco & the American Legion Post Band performing the National Anthem, reading of General Logan’s Orders, presentation of the wreath, American flag presented, followed by a prayer.
Waynesburg VFW Post No. 4793 & the Waynesburg American Legion Post 300, consisting of members of Greene County veterans organizations, will participate in the listed services:
- 11am – at the VFW Post Home on Lincoln Street
- Including: welcome by the Post Commander, tribute to all comrades, placement of wreath, followed with a salute to the deceased (HG/FS)
The Filer-Sadlek Post No. 954 of Jefferson, PA will have services as follows:
- 11am – Mather Honor Roll/Post Office with the speaker Pastor Brendan Byham of the Jefferson Baptist Church. Followed with a salute to the deceased; and placement of the wreath at the Honor Roll.
- 11:30am – Jefferson Cemetery with a salute to the deceased and wreath placement at the Honor Roll (HG/FS)
- 12pm – Service at the Veterans’ section of the Greene County Memorial Park, with a salute to the deceased and wreath placed at the base of the American Flag (HG/FS).
The James R. Maxon American Legion Post No. 992 of Mt. Morris will have services as follows:
- 10am – Services at the Mt. Morris United Methodist Church.
- 11am – Parade from the Mt. Morris United Methodist Church to the Creek with a salute to the deceased by throwing a flower into the creek in memory of the Navy.
- 12pm – Ceremonies at the Cedar Grove Cemetery, with speaker James Hinbaugh, Navy (retired). Followed by the placement of the wreath in honor of our deceased at the Monument (HG/FS).
The Greene County Veterans Memorial Park (900 Rolling Meadows Road, Waynesburg PA 15370) will have services as follows:
- 2pm – Memorial Day Dedication
- Music by Heaven Bound Ministries
- Includes: welcome by Connie Hart, presentation of colors by Gerard Schleicher, National Anthem by Heaven Bound Ministries, invocation by Zane Mitchell, appreciation by Connie Hart, dedication by Colonel Mike Belding, USMC (Retired), 21 Gun Salute by Greene County Honor Guard, Taps by Livia & Gerard Schleicher, and losing prayer by Zane Mitchell.
*HG – Honor Guard, FS – Firing Squad.
