PRESS RELEASE

Plant City, FL – The Plant City Armed Forces Memorials Foundation will dedicate the third group of newly-engraved commemorative bricks at a patriotic event in honor of Memorial Day on Friday, May 27, 2011. The 30-minute ceremony is open to the public and is scheduled to start at 11:30 a.m. at The Veterans’ Memorial Monument Park at Courier Field. Several area dignitaries are expected to attend the event, including Plant City Mayor Dan Raulerson.

The bricks are available for purchase by area residents and are engraved to pay a lasting tribute to veterans who have served in the United States Military since the birth of our Nation. To date, over 500 bricks have been installed in the public gathering area of the Park that includes the centerpiece monument, Freedom Rising, a bronze eagle with outstretched wings atop a six-sided, black granite pedestal. The monument pays tribute to veterans of all five branches of service: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, and Navy.

Freedom Rising is permanently stationed on a field of approximately 8,000 red bricks laid in an interlocking pattern. Representing a key part of the project’s overall fundraising efforts, the goal is for each brick to be engraved in honor of a veteran. To date, over 500 bricks have been engraved and installed.

The engraved bricks can still be purchased for a $150 donation, as long as supplies last. Brick orders must be received no later than April 30, 2011, to be included in the May 27 dedication. Bricks ordered after April 30, will be dedicated at a later date. Order forms are available at the Park, Plant City Photo Archives, the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, or on the website at www.veteransmonument.com.

For more information on the Park and/or purchasing an engraved brick to honor a special veteran, visit the website at www.veteransmonument.com.

Contact: Corinne Futch

Phone: 813-754-6680

 cfutch@veteransmonument.com