Veterans Memorial Walk Ribbon Cutting Set For Tuesday

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On Tuesday, the Johns Creek Veterans Association and the city will celebrate the official opening of the Johns Creek Veterans Memorial Walk with a former Army Ranger parachuting to the grounds to open the ceremony.

The city’s event, which will also include recording artist Curtis Reed singing the National Anthem, will take place Nov. 10.

“This ribbon-cutting ceremony will signal the completion of the Johns Creek Memorial Veterans Walk,” said JCVA President Wayne Kidd. “The Memorial Walk is a contemplative venue for reflection on the sacrifice of our veterans. It is away from distractions and noise so people can remember and reflect.”

Speakers will include Consul General of the Republic of Korea Seong-jin Kim, Georgia Commissioner for Veteran Services Mike Roby, Mayor Mike Bodker, Veteran Roger Wise Jr., and Heather Burch, author of “One Lavender Ribbon.” (A quote from the book is on a plaque at the Memorial Walk entrance.)

The celebration will start at 1:30 p.m. with the arrival of former Army Ranger Christian Stevens parachuting from a helicopter at 2,000 feet.

Upon landing, Stevens will present a camouflage ribbon and two K-bar combat knives to Kidd to cut the ribbon. Curtis will sing the National Anthem.

After the event, the JCVA will host a Marine Corps Birthday celebration at Park Place open to all Marines.

The Memorial Walk, situated on 4 acres at Newtown Park, consists of an entrance plaza graced by the National, State and City flags as well as the flags of each branch of service, a concrete walk with 10 plazas marked by polished, etched monuments commemorating conflicts back to World War I, Women in Service, Purple Heart recipients and POW-MIAs.

It also features matching stone benches, a gazebo, night lighting, a 35-foot-diameter water feature and enhanced landscaping consisting of 38 new trees, 421 new shrubs and extensive ground cover.

The Memorial Walk, located at Newtown Park, started in 2012 in a vacant part of Newtown Park. The veterans raised more than $475,000 in donations and in-kind services for the project, which received no tax dollars.

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Photo credit: city of Johns Creek