The park dedication occurred on December 7, 2002, the 61st anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Lester Ritchie, a Pearl Harbor survivor, gave his remembrances of that day. Later, Congressman Ed Pastor presented Certificates of Honor to local Pearl Harbor survivors.

Everyone who spoke, from the master of ceremonies, Steve Bell, chairman of the Yuma Crosssing National Heritage Area Corporation, to the mayor Larry Nelson, the outgoing congressman Ed Pastor and the incoming Raul Grijalva, spoke of how this project, ten years in the making so far, has come about because of a partnership from many different organizations. They stressed, too, the importance of much volunteer efforts, as well as paid contributors.

Also, representatives of both the National Park Service and the Arizona State Parks gave their speeches, as well. Karen Wade, Director of the Inter-Mountain NPS region raised her hat to our cities efforts.

There are ambitious plans for this 115 acre park, which are scheduled to be completed by 2006. It is the largest environmental revegetation project of its kind in the country.

There is a butterfly garden in the plans, with the shape of a butterfly. To celebrate this, a small cage filled with butterflies was opened, and the tiny beauties were set free upon the park.

It will be exciting to watch the plans come to life and evolve. We are truly lucky to be in a city with such an active community and ambitious plans.