Amador County – A Veterans Memorial Park is being planned in Ione to honor local men and women in the Ione and Camanche areas, veterans who live or lived in the 95640 zip code area.
A board and committee of local residents has been formed to plan and implement a two-phase Veteran’s Memorial Park project, Sharon Long said in a release Monday. The park will honor men and women “who have honorably served our country in all branches of the military.”
Phase 1 will include a granite or marble base, with a bronze statue of a “battle cross,” and space to memorialize Ione service men or women killed in action. The monument is dedicated to those killed in action during the war in Iraq and forward. The first person to be honored will be PFC Jay-D Ornsby-Adkins, who was killed in Iraq on April 28, 2007.
In Phase 2, behind the statue will be placed a three sided memorial Veteran’s wall that will hold a brick for each service man or woman who lived in Ione at the time of their military service, or who has moved to the area. All Ione veterans who have served honorably will have a brick donated by the project fund. Each brick will have the name, branch of service, and dates of service.
A wooden sign listing the names of Ione area veterans who served during World War II will be placed on the west wall of the Bank of Amador building, facing the Memorial Park. The sign is a replica of one that was in place in the late 1940s, a sign which stood for many years, on the side of the building that is now Ione City Hall. The Bank of Amador has approved this placement.
Two flag poles will fly flags representing the United States of America and the MIA/POW, which will be lit and placed in the park. Security cameras will be installed throughout the park. Both landscape and walkways will be used to enhance the park.
A dedication ceremony is planned for 11 a.m. Sunday, April 30 in the small park, at the corner of Main Street and Preston Avenues. The ceremony will feature a flyover, honor guards, bagpipers, taps and a 21-gun salute. Dignitaries from throughout the area will be present and the public is invited to attend.
Sponsors and donations are being sought. All proceeds will go toward construction of the park and are tax deductible.
For information, call Sharon Long at 209-304-5118, or Jerry Cassesi at 209-601-4079.
Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
