Arbor Day took on a whole new meaning for two young girls at Charlotte's Eastway park. 15- year-old Stephany Martinez and her friend, 12-year-old Kelly Ramos, visit nearly ever week. So they noticed two new, 20-foot oak trees, but didn't know why they were there.

The trees were planted in honor Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers Sean Clark and Jeff Shelton. Commemorative bricks at the base of each tree bear each officer's name. Clark and Shelton were killed nearly three years ago, gunned down while on duty one night. Because of the newly planted trees, two young girls now know the story of the young officers, and they both understand how important it is to keep their memory alive. Martinez says, "I think it's really important because they gave their lives to protect us." Ramos says, "I really look up to them."

Captain Johnny Jennings says the tall oak trees are a reminder that Charlotte hasn't forgotten the two officers. "We're gonna move on, just like we should, and keep their families in our prayers and their memories as well,” says Jennings.

The girls, meantime, will do their part to keep Shelton and Clark's memories alive by telling their families and friends the story of why these two trees stand in Eastway park. Martinez says, "They're really honoring someone, so they're special."

Meantime, the plans to build a commemorative park for Officer Sean Clark are moving along. The site in Denver has been cleared and prepped. Organizers are waiting on more donations before they get to work. A park for Jeff Shellton was built in 2007 in his hometown of Locust.

The man charged in the first degree murders of Officers Clark and Shelton, 28-year-old Demeatrius Montgomery, will go on trial in Mecklenburg County this July. If convicted, he faces the death penalty.