Dayton, Ohio – Residents of Dayton will have an opportunity to honor local military heroes, celebrate Flag Day, and take part in a unique piece of community history during a special event planned for June 14 at Point Park.
The Old North Dayton Neighborhood Association and the McCook Field Neighborhood Association are partnering to host a Flag Day Celebration from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Point Park, located at 1 Valley Street. The gathering will bring together residents, veterans, families, and community leaders to recognize military service and commemorate important moments in Dayton’s history.
A major focus of the event will be the rededication of the North Dayton Patriots Memorial, a monument that has honored local service members for more than eight decades.
Memorial rededication honors fallen service members
Organizers said the ceremony will recognize newly added names on the North Dayton Patriots Memorial, which pays tribute to local men and women who lost their lives while serving their country during World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
The memorial stands at the corner of Keowee and Valley Streets and recently underwent an extensive restoration project. The work was led by The Modern Monument and included resurfacing and re-engraving the structure to preserve it for future generations.
The restoration effort not only improved the appearance of the memorial but also uncovered a surprising piece of history. During the project, workers discovered a time capsule that had been placed inside the monument decades ago.
That discovery sparked renewed interest in North Dayton’s military heritage and will become part of the upcoming celebration. One of the event’s featured activities will be the reveal of the time capsule and its contents.
Visitors attending the ceremony will also witness the raising of the American flag and an invocation as part of the formal program.
Honoring Dayton’s World War II Medal of Honor hero
Another significant part of the event will focus on Corporal Tony Stein, Dayton’s only World War II recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Organizers will commemorate the 80th anniversary of Stein receiving the nation’s highest military award for valor. The recognition is expected to highlight his service and sacrifice while educating attendees about his place in Dayton’s history.
The celebration also aligns with America 250, the nationwide observance marking the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States.
In addition to the memorial rededication and tribute to Stein, attendees will have opportunities to learn more about local history through information tables featuring neighborhood and Dayton historical displays.
Food and refreshments will also be available. The Food Pitt food truck will offer meals for purchase, while the City of Dayton Department of Water will provide free drinking water through its water trailer.
Parking options have been arranged for visitors. General parking will be available at the City of Dayton lot located near Keowee Street and Monument Avenue, with pedestrian access provided through the Cpl. Tony Stein Memorial Bridge. Handicap-accessible parking will be available at the Point Park lot, which can be reached from the traffic signal at Troy and Valley Streets.
The event has been made possible through support from several organizations, including the Kiser High School Alumni Association, the National Aviation Heritage Area, Montgomery County, the City of Dayton, and CityWide Development Corporation.
