New Albany leaders plan open discussion with veterans on Veterans Day
New Albany officials and civic leaders are scheduled to talk to U.S. veterans in an open discussion that is intended to honor and recognize the service members who live in the community.
Led by the city of New Albany, Healthy New Albany and the New Albany Chamber of Commerce, the Veterans Connect Us discussion is to focus on those who work and live in New Albany from a veteran's perspective, and for veterans to share their thoughts on how communities can best support the men and women serving or who have served in the armed forces.
The discussion, which is free and open to the public, is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 11 at the Philip C. Heit Center, 150 W. Main St.
A livestreaming broadcast is to be accessible at us02web.zoom.us/j/82674343763.
“I do think one of the obvious subjects, because it’s being put on by the city, they need to know what veterans want in ‘my’ community,” said Angela Douglas, executive director of Healthy New Albany.
U.S. Army veteran Clarence Mingo, former Franklin County auditor and current vice president of corporate affairs and environment, social and governance at T. Marzetti Co., is to moderate the discussion.
Also on the agenda, Mayor Sloan Spalding is expected to unveil updated plans for veterans memorial, which is to be part of phase 2 at Rose Run Park.
The project is expected to enter the design phase in 2023. Construction also could begin as early as next year.
Dennis Keesee, executive director of the New Albany Plain Township Historical Society, is to update the crowd on the progress of a Vietnam Memorial honoring Albert Michael "Mike" Butsko, a sailor who was killed in action.
More veterans news:Vietnam War memorial project to honor fallen sailor from New Albany
The organization hired Michael Kraus, a sculptor from Pittsburgh, to design and build the Mike Butsko Gold Star Mothers Memorial, estimated to cost $125,000 to $150,000.
Keesee said he likes the idea of the discussion and bringing veterans’ thoughts into the public realm at a time when both he and the city are in the process of recognizing those who have served.
“I think this is fantastic and long overdue for our city,” Keesee said.
Gahanna Veterans Day plans
The Gahanna veterans memorial committee is to host an observance and memorial brick dedication from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 11 at Veterans Memorial Park, 73 W. Johnstown Road. To learn more about the Veterans Memorial Park or to purchase a brick for a future Memorial Day or Veterans Day ceremony, go to gahannavets.org.
The VFW Tri-Community Post 4719 and American Legion Post 797 Honor Guard will be part of the event.
gseman@thisweeknews.com
@ThisWeekGary
This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: New Albany leaders, veterans plan open discussion on Veterans Day
