On May 24, 2022, Judge Jimmie Edwards (Chairman of the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Commission) and Janeen McSwain (Executive Director of the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Commission) spoke to the membership of the Magnolia Rotary Club about the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Park. Pictured above from left to right are Janeen McSwain, Judge Jimmie Edwards and Kelly McDonald (President of the Magnolia Rotary Club).
Kelly McDonald introduced Judge Jimmie Edwards listing many of his accomplishments including the fact that he is a life long resident of Montgomery County, a retired USMC Corporal, a Montgomery County Judge, Chairman of the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Commission, and a Paul Harris Fellow. She then showed a short video from "The Texas Bucket List" showing Judge Jimmie talking about the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Park. The video can be seen at https://thetexasbucketlist.com/2021/11/the-texas-bucket-list-montgomery-county-veterans-memorial-park/.
Judge Jimmie and Janeen then took turns talking to different parts of a slide presentation:
- The Mission Statement of the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Commission.
- The Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Commission is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating, illuminating, and enriching our youth, families, and communities from this state and this nation to the services, experience, and sacrifices of our United States Veterans and First Responders.
- All armed forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, USMC) and First Responders are honored at the park.
- Donation of main park sign by the Conroe Noon Lions Club.
- The different phases of the current plans for the park
- Park bridge paid for by the City of Conroe, Texas and named "The Sgt. Luther James Dorsey (Buffalo Soldier) Memorial Bridge.
- Honor for the WASPS (Women Airforce Service Pilots) who flew supply planes during the war) of World War II.
- 13 Flags of Victory Row representing all six military branches including the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Merchant Marines. Also included are the American flag, POW flag, Texas flag, Montgomery County flag, city of Conroe flag, MCVMC flag and the visitors mast for schools, military units, classes, and organizations visiting the Memorial.
- "The Line" which is a monument for the U.S. veterans & active duty service members paid for by the tax payers of Montgomery County, Taxes.
- The movement of existing historical veterans monuments from the court house area to the new park.
- A discussion of the various memorial monuments honoring the fallen of Montgomery County, Texas from 1775 to current time.
- First Responders Memorial and Flag. Also showed a description about what the various colors and items on the flag stand for.
- Honoring Senior Officer William "Bill" Jeffrey of the HPD and Sgt. Michael Vance of the HPD.
- Several family memorial services for family members who requested to have a private service for their loved one in the park.
- Boy Scout Outreach including those who helped light up the The Sgt. Luther James Dorsey bridge.
- Operation Silver to honor those veterans currently in assisted living or nursing homes.
- 100 Anniversary of Tomb of the unknown soldier.
- Faith Fighting Cancer efforts to honor cancer victims by using pink lights at night.
- A map of the Southeast Circle Tour Honor
- Phase II and III:
- Two story Educational & Visitor Center (with conceptual views)
- Gold Start Family Memorial (with conceptual views)
- The Pavilion (with conceptual views)
- Park in the Sky (with conceptual views)
- The military branches of service each want to add a war device (Cannon, PT-Boat, Planes & Ships) at the park.
- A list of ways that individuals and companies can help at the park.
For more information about the Montgomery County Veterans Commission & Park, go to https://mcvetmemorialpark.org/.
A photo of the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Park entrance and flag row can be seen below:
