"As we stand in the shadow of this memorial, we renew our commitment to the ideals for which these men and women fought. We honor their memory not just with words but with actions that reflect the values they held — values of peace, liberty, and justice," American Legion 7's Jesse Corbin said.
With flapping flags flanking him on both sides, Corbin was one of several speakers to offer glimpses into the lives of the people commemorated on the stone marker behind him, one that's been in storage ever since it was moved from the old County Courthouse downtown. It now joins other monuments and monuments to come at Veteran's Park.
"It is appropriate to be here today along our War Memorial Walk, which over time will be home to memorials for those we lost during World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Iraq and Afghanistan wars," Mayor Linda Gorton said.
Otis Ingram fought in Vietnam. Standing feet from the rededicated World War I marker, he says, no matter the distance or the time separating them, veterans share a unique bond.
"We're we're all one. You know, whether the World War I, World War II, Vietnam, we're all veterans and we should be treated as veterans. We're all one," he told WUKY.
The event also included a wreath-laying ceremony and comments from Lexington African-American historian Yvonne Giles, who was given an award for her work keeping veterans' memories alive.
