Nearly 800 people attended the dedication of the Derby Area Veterans Memorial: Walk of Freedom on Nov. 11, 2011.

Col. Thomas Riney, commander of the 22nd Operations Group at McConnell Air Force Base, tells "A Veteran's Story" during the memorial dedication. The story was of the late Col. Merlyn Hans Dethlefsen, a Derby resident who was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Theresa Hearn, executive director of the Derby Community Foundation, speaks during the dedication on Nov. 11.

From left, Virginia Evans, mother of the late Cpl. Joseph Herndon II; Debora Morris-Nelson, who led the effort to make the memorial a reality; Derby Mayor Dion Avello; Linda Bode, chairman of the board of the Derby Community Foundation; Jeff Dethlefsen, son of the late Col. Merlyn Hans Dethlefsen; and Col. Thomas Riney, commander of the 22nd Operations Group at McConnell Air Force Base, cut the ribbon on the new Walk of Freedom.

Members of the Derby High School Air Force Jr. ROTC greet and hand out programs to those attending the Veterans Memorial dedication.

The American Legion Riders Post 408 in Derby provided an entrance escort to the dedication.

The Derby High School Madrigals sang the national anthem during the dedication.

The Derby High School Air Force ROTC presented the colors for the dedication.

Debora Morris Nelson was recognized for the effort she put into seeing that the Veterans Memorial came to reality.

Virginia Evans, mother of the late Cpl. Joseph Herndon II, was joined by her family in leading the Pledge of Allegiance during the dedication.

Following the dedication ceremony, hundreds of visitors strolled past the stations of the memorial, each representing a branch of the U.S. military.

Many who attended the dedication came to look for the brick placed in honor of a loved one who served our great country.

Flowers were placed next to memorial bricks.

Veterans of all ages and ranks shared their stories during the dedication.