With a healthy dose of empathy, we can turn indebtedness into appreciation.

Located at 651 Kissel Hill Road, Lititz, across the parking lot from the entrance to the Lititz Public Library, Veterans Honor Park of Lancaster County recognizes all the servicemen and women from Lancaster County whose dedication and commitment helped provide all the freedom-related privileges we enjoy every day.

"It's a way to honor those who served," said Barbara Kreider, assistant secretary for Warwick Township, which maintains the park. "You're teaching people about their freedoms. These are people who answered the call. Everything you do is based on the price these people paid under less-than-ideal circumstances."

Architecturally unique, Veterans Honor Park of Lancaster County is a somber place, an unassuming space. An Abraham Lincoln quote - "Honor to the Soldier, and Sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country's cause" - greets visitors to a park that recognizes contributions made by local personnel from every branch of the United States military - Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard - past, present and future.

"We'd like more people to know about it," said Warwick Township manager Brian Harris. "We do our best to promote it, and anybody who visits the library can see it. But I'm sure there are those who don't know this area exists."

"It's just a simple place where you can go and reflect," said Kreider. "At times, we'll have families of people who have served come to us and say, 'Hey, can you fly this flag?' It means a lot to them."

Perhaps the highlight of Veterans Honor Park is the 412 individualized legacy bricks that have been laid to commemorate the service of Lancaster County veterans. The money raised from the sale of the bricks was initially used to fund the memorial, while future sales will go toward continued maintenance of the park.

"We want people to know the park exists and that it's a countywide attraction," said Harris. "It's a place where anyone from Lancaster County can come to honor someone in their family who served."

Veterans Honor Park of Lancaster County was built on 0.2 acres of Warwick Township land in 2019. Many local communities maintain their own military memorials, but Veterans Honor Park is one of the few that recognizes the service of thousands of citizens from across the county.

"It was (Warwick Township board of supervisors member) Dave Kramer's idea," said Kreider. "The county had this idea, 'We should have a Lancaster County veterans park.' And Dave said, 'Why not here?' It's a credit to Mr. Kramer because he helped move it forward."

For additional information on Veterans Honor Park of Lancaster County, go to http://www.vetshonorparklanco.org.