The city of Jacksonville has a new marker honoring veterans.
A permanent plaque was installed Tuesday in James Weldon Johnson Park, beneath a crescent of flags across the street from city hall.
The display honors five branches of the U.S. military, prisoners of war and military personnel listed as missing in action. The unveiling was done by Mayor Lenny Curry, Military Affairs Department Director Bill Spann, Veterans Council Chairman David Trotti and City Councilman Nick Howland, a Navy veteran.
"About 25% of the people in Jacksonville are connected in some way to an active duty member of the military or a veteran. We are a military town," Curry said. "This is a representation in gratitude for anyone that has served, is active duty, is serving, or has fallen."
According to Curry, the dedication kicks off a week celebrating veterans. The Veterans Council will place over 22,000 flags at the headstones of veterans at Jacksonville National Cemetery at 4083 Lannie Road at 7:45 a.m. Thursday.
