Armed Forces Day ceremony May 16 at PWC county complex

On Tuesday, May 16, at 1 p.m., the Prince William Board of County Supervisors will host the annual Prince William County Armed Forces Day Ceremony at Freedom Park. This event provides an opportunity for the community to join together and reflect on the sacrifice of Prince William County residents who died in war defending our freedoms. It also is a time for the community to honor all the men and women who have served in our nation’s military.

Freedom Park is located at the Prince William County Government Complex just off the Prince William Parkway (1 County Complex Court, Woodbridge, VA). The tribute will be held at the War Memorial, which is a black granite monument that lists the names of all county residents who lost their lives while serving in war. Regrettably, we will add another name to the memorial this year.

In November 2016, U.S. Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer, Scott Cooper Dayton, 42, of Woodbridge, died when an improvised explosive device exploded in Syria, 35 miles north of Raqqa. Dayton was assigned to the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit 2 in Virginia Beach, according to the Air Force Times.

Dayton, a 23-year veteran of the U.S. Navy, deployed multiple times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, and received multiple military awards that included two Bronze Stars and the Purple Heart Medal. He left behind his wife and two children.