By Erica Solvig
The Cincinnati Enquirer

DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP - This Warren County community will dedicate a Living Memorial on Monday in honor of those who have served their country.

The dedication will follow the Memorial Day parade, sponsored by American Legion Post 194.

The parade kicks off at 10 a.m., goes through downtown Mason and concludes at Rose Hill Cemetery on Mason-Montgomery Road.

The wrought-iron memorial, which includes a plaque and ivy, stands about 5 feet tall. It will be planted either at the cemetery or the township's Cottell Park.

Monday's Living Memorial dedication also is part of the township's yearlong bicentennial celebration.

"I think everybody is focused in on the sacrifices our military personnel have made for this county," Township Trustee Randy Kuvin said. "Obviously, that's even more focused with the war on Iraq and everything else that's going on. ... There's a focus on service - to the country and the community. Anything we can do as a government to focus that and highlight that is important."

A committee of township veterans and residents also is continuing its fund-raising efforts for the larger Deerfield Honors Veterans project. Plans call for a statue, tetrahedral and flagpole surrounded by flowers and pathway.

Personalized bricks, starting at $35, will line the walkways and plaza in the memorial, which will be located at Cottell Park, Snider and Irwin Simpson roads.

The project kicked off about a year ago, Kuvin said.

E-mail esolvig@enquirer.com