Veterans Memorial Plaza Unveiled in Daytona Beach

The Volusia County government on Friday celebrated the unveiling of Veterans Memorial Plaza in Daytona Beach, a new installment honoring those who served in uniform. The site was constructed near the Tom Staed Veterans Memorial Bridge. The plaza cost $1.4 million,paid for through the Volusia ECHO program plus private donations from Josh Wagner, the Daytona Beach Racing and Recreation Facilities District, the Rotary Club of Daytona Beach, Dr. David Lloyd, Robert and Sherry Lloyd, Cici and Hyatt Brown, the France family, Connie and Glenn Ritchey, Forough and Mori Hosseini, and others. Featured prominently in the plaza are flags for each of the six branches of the United States military. Also included is a World War I memorial and a six-foot-high monument to residents of Volusia County who gave their lives in the armed services. “Today is more than a ceremony. It’s a celebration. A culmination. A promise fulfilled,” said Volusia County Councilman Jake Johansson. “With great pride, we officially open Veterans Memorial Plaza – a space that now stands as a lasting tribute to the courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment of our veterans and their families. This is a place built with heart, with honor, and with the deep respect our heroes so richly deserve.” Those who wish to honor a loved one as part of the Veterans Memorial Plaza are able to do so by purchasing an engraved brick for either $125 or $300. So far the county government says over 150 bricks have been placed and more are being prepared for placement. “Today was a special and emotional day,” said benefactor Josh Wagner. “There were a lot of moving parts to get the project completed, but it was totally worth it.”