Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon, was keynote speaker at the memorial’s original 2003 dedication.
The second speaker is Iraq War veteran Shilo Harris. A nationally known motivational speaker and subject of the 2019 short film “Shilo,” Harris will share his inspirational story of overcoming severe injuries and how his experience changed his outlook on life.
The improved Mason Veterans Memorial will be unveiled to the public during the ceremony, and patriotic music from the Mason Symphony Orchestra and a skydiving exhibition by Team Fastrax will be featured.
The memorial, which was developed and updated by the City of Mason and the Mason Board of Veterans Affairs and originally dedicated in 2003, has been improved and upgraded with new landscaping, lighting, and concrete, and replacement of memorial bricks. Additions to the memorial include a Space Force monument, Gold Star Families memorial, Purple Heart memorial and reflection benches.
Other activities to support and honor veterans this year include a fishing event and a patriotic concert as well as other recognitions.
A street banner and yard sign program is an ongoing effort to recognize individual Mason resident veterans, and is sponsored by the City of Mason in conjunction with American Legion Post 194 and VFW Post 9622. The banners and signs commemorate those veterans who currently reside in Mason, resided in Mason during their military service and call Mason their hometown or are an immediate family member of a current Mason resident.
Individuals serving or those who have served in any of the six branches of military service (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and Space Force) including Reserves and National Guard are eligible.
More online
To learn more or to order a street banner or yard sign, go to imaginemason.org and click on “Veterans Memorial.”
About the Author