Local city honors service members

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Melissa Harvey
  • 301st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
NAVAL AIR STATION FORT WORTH JOINT RESERVE BASE, Texas --  Public support is important in any city where there is a military installation. Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, Texas is no different.

One of the larger cities near the base honored military service members of all branches by building a memorial park, which was recently dedicated.

Special guest speakers included Capt. Robert A. Bennett, former NAS Fort Worth JRB base commander, and Brig. Gen. Ronald B. Miller, 301st Fighter Wing commander.

"As a commander, I am grateful for the support of our local communities on a daily basis," Brig. Gen. Miller said. "When a community such as Lake Worth takes the time and effort and more importantly, dedicates some of their precious resources to a park for veterans, I am ecstatic. Not only is the memorial and its surrounding park beautiful, it is a symbol of the community's enduring commitment to support and honor our nation's veterans."

When service members are away from home there are often stressors and concerns for the family left behind dealing with everything on the home front.

"Knowing that our local communities are behind service members currently serving is what allows us to serve, at will, anywhere in the world and have the peace of mind that our families are in a safe and caring environment at home."

The park not only honors service members, but is also a reminder of the city's history.
"Lake Worth in general is very pro-military and pro-veteran," said Brett McGuire, city manager. "We have lived in the flight path for the base practically since the city was first a village. (We have a large city park that was sold to us by the Department of Defense that used to be a radar facility site.) We have some "old timers" that remember when some of the pilots in prop-driven planes used to use some of our streetlights as markers for their approach. We also have quite a few veterans that live in our City."

The memorial, located near the library, consists of columns recognizing past wars, sculptures of a bald eagle and a Fallen Soldier statue.

In addition to the above speakers, one person who attended the dedication added just a little more to the ceremony by simply being there.

Retired Marine Col. George Alden, who served during the first wave on Iwo Jima at Red Beach Two, gave advice for young service members.

"Just hold up the traditions that were set for you by previous servicemen," he said.

The memorial park honors service men and women who have and still do carry on the traditions of those who have gone before.