FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – Marking this Veterans Day, Mayor Sharon Tucker, the City of Fort Wayne’s Public Works Division, and local military and government officials held a public ceremony to dedicate The Spire: Wounded Veterans Memorial.
The Spire monument was installed in the center of the newly constructed roundabout located at Saint Francis Drive (formerly Leesburg Road) and West Main Street. The monument was dedicated in memory of the late Mayor Tom Henry and his wife, Cindy.
Watch the dedication through the City’s Facebook page
The following was released:
The ceremony at the roundabout began with the Presentation of Colors by local veterans. The Color Guard was commanded by Lt. Col. John Higgins, U.S. Air Force, and included John Foster, U.S. Navy; Lee Rose, U.S. Navy; Amy Dohner, U.S. Marine Corps; and Ryley Myers, U.S. Army. Among the speakers were veterans and Purple Heart recipients Dale Wilkinson, U.S. Marines, and Ed Placencia, U.S. Army. Taps was performed by Steve Crantz, U.S. Navy.
Cary Shafer is the artist who conceived, designed and sculpted the monument. Commissioned as a memorial honoring service members who have received the Purple Heart, the 45-foot monument was constructed from 111 pieces of Indiana limestone and combines carved stone with custom steel ornamentation.
“Today’s dedication ceremony was a special moment that all of us in attendance will cherish,” said Mayor Tucker. “I’m proud and honored to live in a community that values veterans and the sacrifices that have been made to serve and protect. I extend my gratitude to those we have lost and pray for those who continue to provide protection today.”
The roundabout and The Spire: Wounded Veterans Memorial are key features of the Leesburg Road Extension Project in the Nebraska Neighborhood, an over $12 million investment in the community’s infrastructure. The project was designed to enhance roadway safety, extend Leesburg Road to Jefferson Boulevard, and install a new traffic signal at the intersection of Leesburg Road and Jefferson Boulevard near SweetCars. Additional improvements included ADA-compliant sidewalks, enhanced drainage, street lighting, and urban landscaping. Milestone Contractors, L.P. served as the contractor for the project.
Since 2014, the City has invested more than $419 million in neighborhood infrastructure enhancements.
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