Veteran’s Day, this year, will be celebrated with a special ceremony at Memorial Park. The new bridge at Memorial Park will be dedicated to all Veterans on that day. The installation of the new bridge is part of the Memorial Park rehabilitation project.
Residents are invited to join in the dedication of the bridge on Friday, November 11, at 9:30 a.m. Memorial Park is located at 14600 State Road. Mayor Larry Antoskiewicz will be in attendance, as well as most of City Council, the VFW Honor Guard and the North Royalton Police Honor Guard.
The dedication of the bridge was suggested by Ward 4 Councilman Jeremy Dietrich. He was also instrumental in the formation of the Hometown Heros Banner Program in North Royalton, starting in 2021. “I spearheaded this project and asked Ward 5 Councilwoman Dawn Carbone McDonald to help me. This is to keep things going from the Hometown Heros program. It’s all for the veterans. One of the reasons I got on Council is to make sure veterans get the recognition they deserve,” Dietrich said.
“It is important to continue to honor the legacy of our veterans here in our community,” stated Antoskiewicz. “Men and women who make the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms and the life we enjoy. Councilman Jeremy Dietrich approached me about dedicating the bridge to veterans, and I thought this was a good idea because it is our Memorial Park, where we honor and memorialize our local residents, and there is already a veteran’s presence there with the cannon.”
In 1969, the final papers were signed for the purchase of twenty acres of property on State Road that would become Memorial Park, according to the book, “The History of North Royalton 1811-1991.” The North Royalton Chamber of Commerce had been developing that land by constructing the lake and park facilities, part of a community service project that began in the late 1950s.
“Under the direction of John Heim, Chamber Chairman of the Park Development Committee, much of the initial proposal to construct a lake, tennis courts, nature trails connecting to the adjoining high school property, playgrounds, playing fields and picnic areas was accomplished. Many service clubs and individuals helped with the project and eventually the city took over ownership and administration of the park,” according to the book, “The History of North Royalton.”

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer