City Pays It Forward to Honor Veterans

The City of Valdosta seeks volunteers to help plant seven trees in the local area that honor veterans, a project made possible by a $2,725 Georgia ReLeaf Grant the city recently received for this purpose. The event, titled Project Pay It Forward, will take place Saturday, Nov. 7, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the American Legion Post 13, located at 1301 Williams Street.

To recognize the contributions and sacrifices that veterans have made for our country, Project Pay It Forward will include the planting of four Crepe Myrtles on Williams Street, as well as one Crepe Myrtle, one Live Oak and one Ginkgo on Jane Street. The Ginkgo tree to be planted on Jane Street will replace a diseased Ginkgo tree that was planted in 1994 in memory of Margaret Ashley Greene, a Gold Star Mother WWI.

The trees planted in the city's right-of-way adjacent to the American Legion Post 13 will strengthen the environment by providing shade, improving air quality, reducing noise and minimizing stormwater runoff. In addition, the trees will improve the value of the property while also making it more inviting for veterans and the community.

The trees will be dedicated following the 10 a.m. Veterans Day Ceremony on Nov. 11 that will take place at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.

The City of Valdosta received the support of several partners to make Project Pay It Forward possible, including the American Legion, Sons of the American Legion, Georgia Power, Georgia Forestry Commission, the Brookwood North Neighborhood Association and the Valdosta Tree Commission.

Citizens who want to volunteer at the event should bring gloves and other yard tools, as the work will involve planting trees, pulling weeds, placing pine straw, and other yard maintenance. For more information or to volunteer, contact Engineering Department Assistant Director Emily Davenport at

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