GIRARD — A COVID-19 memorial in Tod Park dedicated this afternoon may be the first in the area.

The refurbished flagpole, bench, decorative rock and stone pathway were christened by Dominic Adams, 18, of Boy Scout Troop 83, who created the memorial for his Eagle Scout project.

“It’s very important. We can’t forget what happened, what we lost. But we also can’t forget what we learned,” Adams said.

The memorial is dedicated to all first responders and health care workers who were affected by COVID-19 as well as those who lost their lives to the virus. The project began in July and cost around $2,500, which was raised through “the gratuity of the greater Youngstown area,” according to Adams.

Originally, Adams intended to just refurbish the flagpole that was already in that location, but after deciding he wanted to add a bench and a decorative rock, he realized it had to be something more.

Read more in Sunday’s Vindicator.