Our Story |
The “Veterans Memorial Grounds” at Codorus State Park is a place where families can plant trees in honor and remembrance of deceased veterans. This memorial grew out of a request by the family of Laverne Smith, a Warrant Officer and Veteran of the Viet Nam War, who was killed in an automobile accident in June of 2000. After Laverne’s death, his family wanted to honor his service to our country by planting a tree in his name. |
Through Ken’s efforts, the committee sent an e-mail to the office of then Pennsylvania Governor, Tom Ridge, who was also a Viet Nam Veteran and sympathetic to issues concerning Veterans. Governor Ridge suggested the committee contact Ed Kautz, the Superintendent at Codorus State Park, to pursue this idea and ensure compliance with all Park Services guidelines.
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By early Fall of 2000, the Committee adopted a very simple design for the Memorial and the Park Service approved it. Ed Kautz also provided a list of native trees that the Park Service approved. Each family can pick a tree from this list to be planted at the Memorial in honor of their deceased Veteran.
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With the growing popularity of the memorial, it was necessary to expand the location of the memorial to the marina area of the park in 2017. Since the completion of the Memorial, the employees at Codorus State Park, the Friends of Codorus State Park, and a small group of volunteers continue the maintenance of the trees and the grounds around the Memorial.
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1066 Blooming Grove Rd, Hanover PA 17331
[email protected] 717-451-3635 Copyright 2023 Friends of Codorus State Park. All rights reserved. |