Scott and Kathy Freeman attended the Lincoln Statue Unveiling Ceremony at the VA Medical Center in Dayton, OH on September 16th.
Cincinnati SAR President Scott Freeman outside VA Medical Center
The statue depicts Lincoln signing legislation on March 3, 1865, to establish a system of soldier’s homes, keeping his promise “to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan”. The new statue is outside the “Patient Library” building erected in 1880.
Newly unveiled status of Abraham Lincoln
One of the three original VA Hospitals in the United States, Dayton received its first Civil War Veterans in 1867. Although originally established as the Central Branch of the National Asylum for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, the facility became known as Dayton Soldiers Home. Today the campus includes a modern VA hospital and the Dayton National Cemetery, along with historic buildings and grounds from the post-civil war era.
Chapel on site in the VA Medical Center complex
The site currently has 266 acres, the original facility was built on farmland over twice that size. Back in the day, the grounds included walking paths around four artificial lakes, groves of trees, decorative gardens, flower beds, a rock grotto with a waterfall and drinking springs, and a zoological garden with an aviary, deer park, and alligator pond.
Beautiful gardens and features make the grounds feel spectacular
The American Veterans Heritage Center (AVHC) was a sponsor of the Lincoln statue project along with the Lincoln Society of Dayton (LSoD). The AVHC was established to preserve the historic buildings and grounds and has done and continues to do incredible work. The grotto area and gardens were restored to their original grandeur about ten years ago.
Another view of the Lincoln statue
The soldiers home and grounds were a popular tourist destination In the early 1900’s and will be again with the establishment of The National VA History Center and Archives on the campus, which is now in progress.This site is three miles west of downtown Dayton and just a couple of minutes off I-75. It is definitely worth a stop when passing through Dayton.
Historical Marker Describing Lincoln’s commitment to caring for our nations veterans
OHSSAR President Steve Kaplan and nine other SAR members from the Richard Montgomery Chapter were in attendance, most in either Revolutionary War or Civil War uniform.
SAR participants from Dayton and Cincinnati
Alan See of the Richard Montgomery SAR Chapter (Greater Dayton area) shared a short video for all to enjoy:
The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW), Dayton and Cincinnati Camps were well represented (including some Dayton SAR members who are also members of the SUVCW).
The Ladies of the SAR Auxiliary also participated.
Ladies of the SAR Auxiliary
During the ceremony, there was a rifle and canon salute by the Dayton National Cemetery Honor Squad (done off in the distance), taps, and music by the US Air Force “Band of Flight” from Wright Patterson Air Force Base.
Terrific Event!
Thank a Veteran!!
