Veterans Memorial Park Dedicated in Verplanck
More than 100 veterans and government officials were on hand for the dedication of Veterans Memorial Park last week on the banks of the Hudson River in Verplanck.
The idea for the memorial, which is located near Steamboat Dock, was brought to the Cortlandt Town Board last year by members of William J. Boyle American Legion Post 1030.
“I have seen and read many hundreds of memorials and monuments dedicated to many worthwhile places, deeds and people. This memorial, though smaller in size, is larger in numbers than any of the others dedicated,” said Arthur Rickey, a World War II Army veteran and a member of American Legion Post 1030.
“It is dedicated to every man and woman that ever honorably served in a branch of the United States military, whether it was one day, or for a career, in combat or non-combat,” he added. “It is something we need.”
Several speakers reflected on the history of the location chosen for the memorial, including Cortlandt Councilman Frank Farrell, who noted that American and French armies once crossed the Hudson in the vicinity.
“This area is so tremendously rich in history,” said Farrell, a Navy veteran. “What I liked so much about this memorial is it wasn’t meant to honor any one individual or one particular branch of the military. It was meant to honor every man and woman that served this country. Cortlandt and William J. Boyle American Legion Post really did us proud.”
The park, which features a monument in the middle, a brick walkway, two cement benches and a flagpole, cost Cortlandt approximately $40,000.
“The Town Board and I are very pleased that we were able to fund and construct this beautiful and very important Veterans Memorial Park,” said Cortlandt Supervisor Linda Puglisi. “We owe the freedoms our families enjoy to our veterans.”
William Nazario, chairman of Cortlandt’s Veterans Council and a Purple Heart recipient, said the veterans appreciate the tribute paid to them.
“This park here is a reminder of what this country is about, what this town is about,” he said. “God bless America.”
Rick has more than 40 years’ experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, running the gamut from politics and crime to sports and human interest. He has been an editor at Examiner Media since 2012. Read more from Rick’s editor-author bio here. Read Rick’s work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/pezzullo_rick-writer/
