Avon Dedicates Veterans Memorial

The City of Avon dedicated its new Veterans Memorial in the community’s aquatic center park the morning of Sept. 14 as dozens of community members turned out to share in solemn observances.

“We hope this is a place where people can come and reflect,” said Mayor Bryan Jensen as he helped introduce the family members of three young Avon residents who sacrificed their lives in military service: John Barelka, David Schneider and Patrick Smith Jr.

Each of the three are memorialized by individual markers.

The dedication completes a project that started almost two years ago. “We are very proud of this memorial and hope it serves as a place of quiet reflection to honor those that sacrificed so much for the freedom we enjoy today,” reports Mayor Jensen.

The memorial brings a dramatic and moving statement to the community. Not only does the monument represent six major wars, starting with World War I, it memorializes three hometown military veterans who lost their lives in service to the country – David F. Schneider (‘65), John M. Barelka (‘80) and Patrick E. Smith, Jr. (‘65).

In addition to tributes to those who served in WWI. WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Persian Gulf and Iraq, the memorial also uniquely honors those who serve in the War on Terror. A marker central to the layout states, “Honoring All Those Who Have Served in Defense of Our Country.”

Behind those three monuments are even larger monuments, dedicated to all those who “gave the last full measure of devotion” in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War and the War on Terror.