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Township dedicates park honoring all veterans

Deerfield trustees, brigadier general sign Community Covenant document at ceremony.

Jack Missman, 4, looks at the engraved brick for his father, Army Spc. Gregory J. Missman, during the Deerfield Honors Veterans Park dedication in Deerfield Twp. on Sunday, Nov. 8.

Contributed photo  by Peter Wine Jack Missman, 4, looks at the engraved brick for his father, Army Spc. Gregory J. Missman, during the Deerfield Honors Veterans Park dedication in Deerfield Twp. on Sunday, Nov. 8.

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By Eric Schwartzberg, Staff Writer Updated 2:39 PM Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Representatives from all branches of the U.S. military and more than 400 area residents gathered Sunday, Nov. 8, at Cottell Park to dedicate Deerfield Honors Veterans Park, a project paying tribute to veterans past, present and future.

Trustee Vice President Chris Romano said members of the military have for more than 200 years pledged “their loyalty, their accord, their very selves” to support and defend the U.S. Constitution and the concepts it embodies.

“It is for these that we come here today,” Romano said. “For just as they have taken that weighty oath, have promised to do what’s right, despite the burden, no matter the cost, we, too, the people of Deerfield Twp., with opening of this remarkable community amenity, have overcome no small burden, and at some significant cost, done the right thing.”

The cost for the $500,000 park was split between a tax increment financing district and funds contributed by businesses and individuals.

Trustees signed a Community Covenant document as a symbol of the township’s commitment to members of the military and their families.

They were joined by U.S. Army Brig. Gen. John Hanley who said the covenant raises awareness of the need for communities to reach out to soldiers and their families to help them weather long deployments and separations, frequent moves and the stresses of war.

“Community Covenant signing ceremonies... are designed to recognize current community and state programs and services in place to support our soldiers and families,” he said. “They also encourage enhanced cooperation and collaboration between federal, state, local governments, non-profits, veteran service organizations, and faith-based groups to work together for the good of our military families.”

Deerfield Twp. is the first Warren County community to sign such a document and the second community in Ohio to do so.

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