Rep. Baird speaks at Crawfordsville Memorial Day service, Veterans Memorial Park dedication

State Rep. Beau Baird (R-Greencastle) (far left) speaks at the Memorial Day service and formal dedication of Veterans Memorial Park on Monday  in Crawfordsville.

Joining Baird at the ceremony were Mayor Todd Barton (second from right), Trey Barton, community liaison for U.S. Rep. Jim Baird (far right), members of American Legion Byron Cox Post 72, local leaders and community members.

"Memorial Day is a sacred time of remembrance, a day to pause not in celebration but in solemn recognition of those who made the ultimate sacrifice," Baird said. "As your state representative for House District 44, I have had the chance to hear the stories of our local heroes, some who returned home and some who did not. From rural farms to city streets, Putnam County to Montgomery County, this district has always stepped up when the country needed it."

Park Background

Baird said the park's mission is to create an educational space that pays tribute to the sacrifices and service of all veterans, past and present.

The park features a variety of historical military artifacts such as a 1969 Huey Helicopter, a M110 Howitzer, a M42 Duster and a World War II-era Japanese anti-aircraft gun, which display the history of military technology.

Baird said the park also features a granite memorial with a bronze soldier and a flag display. Park visitors will also be able to buy commemorative bricks to engrave a veteran's name on. The park is on South Washington Street between American Legion Post 72 and the National Guard Armory.

More information about the park can be found on their Facebook page here, or by contacting veterans.memorial.47933@gmail.com .