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RAFFLE TO BENEFIT PLAYGROUND
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Codorus State Park “Veterans Memorial Grounds” The “Veterans
Memorial Grounds” at Codorus State Park is a place where families can plant
trees in honor and remembrance of deceased veterans. This memorial grew out of a
request by the family of Laverne Smith, a Warrant Officer and veteran of the
Viet Nam War, who was killed in an automobile accident in June of 2000. After
Laverne’s death, his family wanted to honor his service to our country by
planting a tree in his name. Like many of the local veterans, Laverne was a
member of the American Legion, AMVETS and the VFW. The family went to the VFW,
where Laverne had just been elected Commander for the upcoming year, and spoke
to Laverne’s close friend Ken Riley, another Viet Nam veteran. Ken told them
that, unfortunately, there was no place in the Hanover area to honor veterans in
that manner. However, Ken said he would talk to the AVC (Allied Veterans
Council), to see what, if anything could be done. The AVC created a committee
to investigate any options. This committee included the commanders from each of
the local veterans’ organizations, Through Ken’s efforts, the committee sent an e-mail to the office of then Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge, who was also a Viet Nam veteran and sympathetic to issues concerning veterans. Governor Ridge was enthusiastic about this idea and set aside a portion of Codorus State Park to be designated as grounds for a Memorial for veterans. Governor Ridge suggested that the committee contact Ed Kautz, the Superintendent at Codorus State Park, to pursue this idea and ensure compliance with all Park Service guidelines. By that time, the initial committee had grown to include a number of volunteers with interest in this project. With Ken Riley coordinating it’s efforts, and Randy Nehr’s assistance, this group held several meetings with Ed Kautz to discuss the guidelines that had to be followed. By early fall of 2000 the committee adopted a very simple design for the Memorial and the Park Service approved it. Ed Kautz also provided a list of native trees that the Park Service approved. Each family can pick a tree from this list to be planted at the memorial in honor of a deceased veteran. Throughout the fall and winter months of 2000, the committee held fundraisers and volunteers canvassed the Hanover area, soliciting donations of money and building materials. Construction of the Memorial started in the late spring of 2001 and ended late that summer. The construction was completed entirely by volunteers and Park employees. A core group of professional excavators, masons and carpenters, who also donated their time, helped and directed the other volunteers. From the time the planning for the Memorial started, until the construction was completed, over 20 families submitted requests for trees to be planted in honor of deceased Veterans. The Dedication Ceremonies for the Memorial and the inaugural tree planting took place on Saturday, September 15, 2001, with Senator Mike Waugh as the keynote speaker. Governor Ridge had committed to be present for the dedication, but he was called to Washington earlier that week, to take charge of the newly created Department of Homeland Security. Each year since the dedication of the Memorial, the committee has held a service and tree planting for families who submitted requests for trees during that year. Since the dedication of the Memorial in 2001, and including all ceremonies that have been conducted through the fall of 2005, over 75 veterans have been honored with the planting of a tree in each veteran’s name. This year marks the celebration of the 5 Year Anniversary of the “Veterans Memorial Grounds” at Codorus State Park. That celebration will be held on Veterans Day, November 11th at 11:00 A.M. additionally, during this year's Veterans celebration there will be a "Flag Retirement" ceremony where flags that are worn, faded or tattered will be retired while a Color Guard is present. This is the only method approved by Congress for the disposal of old flags.
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