Memorial Park in Rotterdam gets new monument
One thing is clear Rotterdam values its veterans.
After months of volunteer efforts, Rotterdam Supervisor Frank Del Gallo announced the new Veteran’s Memorial Park located next to Town Hall on Sunrise Boulevard will be dedicated on Sunday, May 15, at 1 p.m.
Anthony Troiano, past commander of Disabled American Veterans Chapter 88, is leading the celebration, and Congressman Paul Tonko will serve as keynote speaker.
To help complete the project, Del Gallo put his 2011 Town Board salary of $13,000 toward the project (he earmarked his 2010 salary to cover renovations at the senior center) and said Rotterdam resident and retired police officer Jim Bradshaw also donated a significant amount to the project. About $6,000 was collected from 25 business owners to help fund the project, and without volunteers stepping up to get the task done, it might have cost double the $35,000 to $40,000 it took to complete, Del Gallo said.
When I took office the veterans came to me and said they have been waiting 17 years for somebody to build them their own memorial and monument in Memorial Park out here, and I said, ‘I will build you one,’` said Del Gallo.
In addition to donating time and money, residents and business also donated supplies and materials. Zwack Decorative Stone donated the stone, and the artist carving the scene of soldiers into the stone was a veteran himself. Kenneth Maguire, of Key West, Florida, spent more than 350 hours carving the stone with a burring tool, said Del Gallo. After Maguire was done carving into the stone, he painted it.
On top of the new monument is a bell Del Gallo picked up in Alaska more than 25 years ago. Del Gallo said the bell used to be part of a steam locomotive.
`They never made steam engines in Alaska, so it is probably from the lower 48 states,` said Del Gallo.
Getting the project done, while requiring a lot of time and effort, wasn’t too hard, said Del Gallo. Many businesses and residents were eager to help out.
`If it wasn’t for the veterans, none of us would be here. When you mention it is for the veterans they help. It wasn’t too hard of a project to do, because people are always willing to help with veterans,` said Del Gallo. `It is a pretty expensive project, so it took a lot of money and labor and time.`
Families looking to honor Rotterdam veterans can also purchase a bronze star to be placed on the walkway around the monument. The cost per name is $275 and the star includes the veteran’s name, dates of service or tour of duty, branch of service and rank. Five or six stars are planned to be in place by Sunday, but Del Gallo said he is hoping for many more.
`That sidewalk on the outer edge that is 40 inches wide will have bronze stars someday covering the whole thing,` he said. `It will be a nice little park for the veterans and the workers that want to go eat their lunch out there.`
The whole area has generally gotten a makeover with a concrete walkway connecting the area together and the flagpole has also been redone. Benches are also planned to be added.
Del Gallo said he is excited for residents to see all the work that has been done and is happy the work was completed for Memorial Day, allowing residents to enjoy and honor those who served.
`I am happy it is done, and I am happy with the way it came out. I can’t wait for Sunday,` said Del Gallo.
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