Cornwall dedicated this tree to the people and community spirit that helped the town recover from the July 10, 1989 tornado. Town leaders at that time were Richard Dakin, First Selectman; Patsy Van Doren, Selectman; Steve Hedden, Selectman; Barbara Dakin, Town Clerk; Cary Hepprich, Fire Chief; Rick Washburn, Assistant Fire Chief; David Williamson, Civil Preparedness Director; and Joe Matyas, Highway Foreman.