The trees were purchased by the parish through a national program dedicated to planting them as living memorials to the heroes of World War II. The green ashes were grown from the seeds of a tree that stands outside Denison, Texas, the hometown of General Dwight D. Eisenhower who was born there in 1890. This honor is reserved for "Ike" as he served as the Supreme commander of the Allied Forces during the D-Day invasion and later became the 34th American President.

Peggy Mayers, Ascension Parish resident, first became aware of the project while shopping at the local Wal-Mart. She subsequently contacted Dennis Mitchell, landscape architect with GSA, Inc. who designed the Veteran's park.

"The project emphasizes using trees as 'silent witnesses' to history," explained Mitchell. "The initiative uses these particular ash trees to honor those who fought in one of our country's most significant historical events. Known as Operation Silent Witness, they honor all branches of the military as each had a pivotal role in the allied victory."

Nationally, the project has included the planting of a 20-foot tall Eisenhower Green Ash at the French Embassy in Washington, DC in June 2000. The invasion in Normandy helped to free France from German control and signaled the beginning of the end of World War II. Additionally, six trees were planted at Arlington Cemetery on the 59th anniversary of Pearl Harbor Day on December 7, 2000. The loss of over 2400 service personnel and civilians from a surprise attack by the nation of Japan was the "day of infamy" that brought the United States into the Second World War. The trees will always be there to remind the public of the contributions of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines.

Wal-Mart and The Scotts Company are sponsoring the national planting effort, which is being coordinated through the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the WWII Memorial and the White House Millennium Council.

For additional information on the Living Memorial Project, interested citizens are encouraged to visit the website at www.green.gov.