America's veterans may receive a small token of appreciation later this year for the service and sacrifices that have allowed the rest of the country to maintain its freedom.

Though often called Riverfront Park,

Ironton's Center Street Landing, on the other side of the floodwall, may be renamed Veterans' Memorial Park if representatives from the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 765 get their wish.

Purple Heart member Charles Meadow Jr. and Commander Ron McFann proposed the name change to the Ironton City Council last week.

Originally, Meadows said they had thought about naming it Purple Heart Park, but decided on the proposed name because it would include all of Lawrence County's veteran organizations.

"Not a veteran's organization in the county is against it," he said. "It is for all the veterans, dead or alive, and anyone who ever served. I think through the veterans organizations we could really make it something. I just can see no end to it."

Council referred it to Bob Lipker, Parks and Recreation Committee chairman, who said he talked with Meadows Sunday. Lipker, a veteran himself, said he

supported it and thought the rest of council would as well.

"I told him that I see no problem making it Veterans' Memorial Park," Lipker said. "I think it is a nice gesture."

Lipker said he will make a recommendation to council and, if approved, the park would be dedicated later this year after the floodwall improvements are completed.

"They have my support on it, but it may need council's action," Mayor Bob Cleary said at the meeting.

Meadows said the current area is not really used much as a park and is not really inviting for families.

"It is a disaster area," he said. "People go down there some, but they do not want to go down there for a picnic or to fish because it is filthy."

Improvements that Meadows said he would like to see include a picnic shelter, "No littering" signs, a playground, an improved boat ramp and a handicapped fishing pier.

"We have got a lot of ideas. If they decide on this we are going to try and see if there is local, state or federal funding available through the veterans' organizations to make improvements," he said. "All the veterans in the county could pitch in. If the city does not have the funds to make improvements, maybe we can help them out."