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Chief Gerald Monahan, Port Orange Police Chief and Conference Host said during his presentation at the awards banquet, “I’ve never seen someone with so much energy as Nancy Lohman, with all that Lowell and Nancy do within their businesses for our community, they still had time to do so much for our conference.” Lowell and Nancy and their family have a close knit relationship with the Police and Fire Dept.’s within Volusia County. Their Daytona Memorial Park, the largest cemetery in Volusia County, hosts the annual Police Memorial Service each year within the “Our Heroes” Garden which features a large granite and bronze feature dedicated to the men and women who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Last year, Police Chief Larry Mathieson of Ormond Beach was instrumental in supporting a proclamation in Ormond Beach creating “Lowell and Nancy Lohman Day” for their outstanding support of the Police and Fire Dept’s in their community. The plaque was presented to them at a city council meeting by Mayor Fred Costello. Lowell and Nancy also donated services for two local officers, both killed in the line of duty. Over 2,000 attended each service. October 2003 On May 26th, Memorial Day, 2003, Daytona Memorial Park and Funeral Home unveiled their new Veteran's Memorial with a dedication service. Rousing speeches, patriotic music, words of comfort and prayer, veterans in uniform - the two hour ceremony had it all. In attendance was Elizabeth Williams whose late husband, James, a US Army Veteran of The Korean War, is interred in the cemetery. "This was beautiful", she said. "I won't ever miss one again". Hundreds gathered for a program that included a 24 plane group of warbirds and historic planes from the Spruce Creek Gaggle unit, the Commemorative Air Force. The new 6,000-pound granite monument dedicated to each of the four major branches of the US Military was unveiled. "We honor today these who make the ultimate sacrifices" said Palm Coast resident Jack Leide, a retired (2 star) Army Major General. "They dedicated their lives, not to war but to the preservation of our nation and its way of life." Giles McCoy, a US Marine veteran was also a guest speaker. He spoke of the 880 men who lost their lives in the sea all around him. When their ship, the USS Indianapolis, was hit by a Japanese torpedo in July 1945. Dr. McCoy said it's still hard to talk about the men who died. "We must never forget those who fought for this country". The Veteran's Monument includes four pillars and is available for families to choose to have their loved ones named engraved beneath the emblem of the branch of service, for which they served. A proclamation was read by Daytona Beach Mayor, Baron "Bud" Asher. "it is fitting and proper that this memorial be put in place to honor all our veterans." "NOW, THEREFORE I Baron H. "Bud" Asher, Mayor of the City of Daytona Beach, Florida do hereby proclaim Monday, May 26, 2003 as a special day in our city as well as in Daytona Memorial Park to remember those who have lost their lives in the service of our great country, and to establish and dedicate this permanent new VETERANS MEMORIAL." As a thank you and surprise gift to the guest speakers, the Lohman Family had several names engraved on the monument prior to the unveiling including (Ret.) Major Jack Leide, Dr. Giles McCoy, Victor and Lowell Lohman's father, Edgar Lohman, Rev. Roger Lee Tiffany, a retired veteran and the area's veteran organizations' chaplain, who gave the invocation and Mayor Baron "Bud" Asher, Mayor of Daytona Beach, Florida. 2002 Beautification Award Ormond Funeral Home received the 2002 Beautification Award, presented by the Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce. Our funeral home was the committee's premier choice based on criteria including landscape design, consistent upkeep and maintenance of landscaping, aesthetics and "curb appeal." September 2002 Daytona Memorial Park & Funeral Home displayed a huge red, white and blue wreath beside the cemetery's entrance sign with the words "We Remember" to mark the anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Similar wreaths were also placed at Ormond Funeral Home, Palm Coast Funeral Home and Edgewater-New Smyrna Cemetery. At noon on September 11, all Daytona employees gathered around the cemetery flagpole and recited the Pledge of Allegiance, united with millions of Americans across the nation in remembrance of the attacks. We thank all of the families that we serve for joining us in this special tribute.
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