ELKTON â The branches are bare on a recently-erected, stainless steel tree that stands on a concrete pedestal in the Unity Garden Courtyard fronting the Cecil County Circuit Courthouse on Main Street in Elkton.
But on Friday, during a low-key ceremony, that tree will sprout its first few leaves in the form of padlocks â each engraved with the name of a Cecil County resident who was killed at the hands of another. The victimâs birthdate and date of death also will be inscribed on the padlock.
It is The Tree of Love, a permanent memorial for the sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, uncles, aunts and so forth who were murdered or were killed by drunk or drugged drivers.