COVINGTON, KY – On Friday, September 29, the City of Covington hosted a grand opening and rededication ceremony for the Armed Services Memorial in Devou Park.
The Armed Services Memorial was rededicated to honor and remember all U.S. Armed Forces and U.S. Department of Defense personnel who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and continue to pay the ultimate price in defending the freedoms and liberties of the United States of America and people around the world.
Located across from the Bandshell Concert Bowl in Devou Park, the ceremony was be led by Devou Park Advisory Committee (DPAC) Member Pete Nerone and featured the Posting of the Colors by the Young Marines, Invocation and Benediction by Bishop Charles Fann, singing of the National Anthem by LeeAnn Kordenbrock, playing of Taps by VFW Post 6905 Quartermaster John Shirley.
Additionally, the ceremony included remarks from project leader Veteran Bob Hebbeler, DPAC Member Pete Nerone and City Manager David Johnston.
Bob Hebbeler stated, "The new Veterans Memorial in Devou Park is a rich tribute to those brave men and women from NKY who made the ultimate sacrifice for their Country.
“Our hope is that when people pass by or visit the Memorial they will reflect for a moment on what this Memorial stands for, i.e., the profound commitment that these men and women made to guarantee our freedoms and liberties.
“And, furthermore, that their service commitment be remembered and honored as an example for future generations in serving their communities and our Nation."
Originally installed in 1969 at the intersection of Prisoners Lake Drive and Montague Road, the Armed Services Memorial was recreated and relocated to its new location on Bandshell Blvd in 2017.
Bob Hebbeler and retired architect Rick Wolnitzek collaborated with the City and Devou Park Advisory Committee to determine the memorial’s design and location.
Parks & Recreation Manager Rosie Santos stated, “The project sought to improve accessibility of the memorial, as well as enhance the solemnness of the site in an effort to honor those who committed their lives to the service of our Nation.”
The location for the stone memorial was selected due to its solemn and reflective nature and accessibility, all the while creating a cone of vision to draw focus on the memorial.
Featured within the stone memorial are six bronze Armed Forces Medallions that represent the six U.S. branches of the Armed Services: Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines. Additionally, there is a Fallen Soldier Medallion featured within the memorial.