Pictured from left, Connie Schlag, Ray Bledsoe, Ken Wilson, Mayor Joe Thallemer, Larry Plummer and Shaun Gardner admired the freshly-planted Crimson Maple at Central Park.

A tradition was started today at Central Park in Warsaw.

In honor of Earth Day, American Legion Post 49 donated a Crimson Maple tree to the park in honor of the veterans who have served so that Americans have the freedom to celebrate Arbor Day.

Shaun Gardner, left, and Larry Plummer, right, plant the American Legion’s Crimson Maple as Mayor Thallemer, center, lends a hand.

“There’s nothing but thanks for what you’ve done,” said Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer. American Legion representatives, local and otherwise, joined the mayor and Warsaw Parks Department to dedicate the tree. The tree was planted near the Gardens of Central Park.

The American Legion hopes to plant a new tree each Earth Day in the future. Before long, the park will be full of living memorials to the men and women who served to protect our freedom.