Jones Memorial Tree Dedication on May 31, 2021

David A. Jones, Sr. & Betty Lee Asbury Jones

In Memoriam
Dedication of Jones Memorial Tree
Patriots Peace Memorial
Memorial Day
May 31, 2021

Excerpts from Remarks of Ed Armento

With the passing of David and Betty Jones, during 2019, the Patriots Peace Memorial Committee struggled to find an appropriate manner in which to memorialize the central role they both played in the conception and construction of this unique memorial. From its very inception, David and Betty Jones blessed the Patriots Peace Memorial with their guidance, vision, encouragement and financial support, as our community grappled with how best to remember those military personnel from within our region, who had died in the line of duty, but not under combat conditions. Embracing the concept and deeply moved by the emotional appeal of a grieving mother, whose son had perished in a military aircraft training accident, David and Betty Jones championed the cause and the Patriots Peace Memorial became a reality on Veterans Day 2002. 

From the initial grant of land the memorial stands on today, to the international architectural competition, construction management and funding, all personally supported or influenced by David Jones and many of his friends, both personal and corporate, our Louisville area community responded and was able to construct this symbolic “Portal of Light” to ensure that the sacrifices of military personnel from throughout our region would not be forgotten for generations to come. Through his own military service with the United States Navy, David Jones was acutely aware of the many dangers posed by military training operations at sea, in the air and on the ground.  

For those of us who had the pleasure of personally knowing David and Betty Jones, their humility and reluctance for public recognition only magnified the enormity of their benevolence, not only in support of our military, but for many worthy causes within our community, too numerous to mention. 

When a decision was made to honor the memories of David and Betty Jones on these very grounds, a tulip poplar tree, known to many Kentuckians as our official State Tree, was chosen for its magnificent shape and rapid growth, in the hope that it will one day symbolically tower over the Patriots Peace Memorial, much in the same way that David and Betty Jones did so during their long and productive lives.  

In order that future generations may reflect on the impact that David and Betty Jones had, not only on the construction of this memorial, but also on its perpetuation, a granite and bronze marker has been placed near the base of this tree, expressing our unending gratitude, with the inscription: 

Dedicated in Grateful Memory
David A. Jones + Betty A. Jones
Compassionate Benevolence
Patriots Peace Memorial Committee