The Lower Bucks County Vietnam Veterans Memorial dedication ceremony Sunday, September 26, in Middletown Township will close a few roads for crowd control purposes. But organizers hope it also opens a few eyes — and hearts — to the ultimate sacrifice that Bucks County citizens made in answering the call.

Workers eased the 600-pound statue in place today at Veterans Memorial Park and shrouded it for the Sunday unveiling. Artist Abbe Godwin — the sculptor who also immortalized Dr. Martin Luther King at his memorial gardens in Raleigh, N.C. — crafted it.

The figure of a young infantryman peering over his right shoulder will stand with a black granite panels containing the names of 95 military personnel from Lower Bucks County. That roster includes 94 locals killed in action and one still missing in action.

The PA Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation created the memorial. Funding came from state and local grants, and through various fundraising efforts.

The morning’s events will include:

• The 11-person Armed Forces Color Guard from the Military District of Washington, DC
• A military helicopter flyover
• Tributes to the fallen from multiple Lower Bucks County Vietnam veterans
• A roll call of Vietnam veterans in attendance and those whose names are on the memorial

More on the Lower Bucks County Vietnam Veterans Memorial event is at its website.