By Leigh Ann Rutledge
Accent Editor
November 23, 2009
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| Volunteers unveil the new memorial dedicated to veterans of World War I and II located in the Amsterdam Park. The design is almost identical to the original built in 1929. |
The sun was shining brightly during a rededication ceremony held Nov. 15 in Amsterdam.
Family, friends, and fellow veterans were on hand at the Amsterdam Park for the unveiling of the newly constructed memorial honoring veterans of World War I and II. The original memorial, built in 1929 and added on to in 1946, is located in the bank parking lot on Main St. When the bank property sold a few years ago people wondered what would become of the memorial.
An eight-person committee of volunteers from Amsterdam, Bergholz, East Springfield and Wolf Run was organized in April 2009 and began ground work to construct a new memorial, identical to the original, in the park near the gazebo. Under direction of co-chairmen, Tom Stone and Amsterdam Mayor Gary Pepperling, the committee began fundraising efforts and gathering donations. The new memorial was designed and constructed as close to the original as possible, by John Russell Construction of East Springfield.
Stone removed the guns from the original memorial and refurbished them and they have been mounted on the new memorial. Stone said everyone in the area is supporting the committee’s effort.
Mayor Pepperling stated, “This project has been a community effort. Amsterdam was chosen for the memorial because it is centrally located and along State Route 43. This monument shows middle class America, shows what these communities are made of.” Pepperling said the project has been funded totally by private donations, some small, some as large as $2,000 but everything counts. “I want to thank all the villages for coming together in these hard economic times to make this project a success through spaghetti dinners, raffles, donations.”
Color Guard, Honor Guard and members of Amsterdam, Malvern and Minerva Legions paid tribute to their comrades. Amsterdam VFW Post 232 Commander Dennis Gallagher welcomed everyone to the solemn occasion, one he said, “We will all remember this day with pride for our part we are contributing to these men. Today we honor these men of World War I and II who are worthy of great recognition, more than mere words.”
Gallagher explained the United States flag represents privileges for those who live in this land. “For us, 488 men marched away from their homes in defense of our country,” he continued. “These men went forth as living strength of our flag. These men knew the dangers and without hesitation they responded to the call of duty. The VFW looks at all service personnel as comrades in arms, fighting under our flag for the privileges of all Americans.”
The ceremony concluded with the bell toll for three of the 128 World War I veterans and 12 of the 360 World War II veterans who “gave all.” Gallagher stated, “It is in their memory we extend our deepest respect. This dedicates the roll of honor which records for all to see for deeds forever to be remembered.”
THE NEW MEMORIAL
Facing the WWI and II memorial is a blank memorial wall. This will honor veterans from 1946 to present day. Stone said, “We are in the process of gathering names. A lot of the veterans no longer have relatives in the area and so many have been forgotten.” Anyone who has an allegiance to Amsterdam, Bergholz, East Springfield or Wolf Run and was honorably discharged from any branch of the United States military is eligible to be included on the wall. Stone explained, “We ask to see discharge papers and for a $20 donation for each veteran’s name to be included on the wall.” The committee is continuing fundraising efforts and Modern Woodsman has pledged to match funds raised from the current raffle.
For information, to donate or be included on the wall, contact Gary Pepperling at 740-543-3070 or Tom Stone at 330-543-3762. |
