By Chris Ramos
The spirit of a soldier is filled with courage and resilience, it is indestructible. Therefore, there is no better way to honor those who have taken the selfless commitment than to dedicate a memorial which is as indestructible as their spirit.
The Veterans Memorial Park is currently under construction by S. Bedford Rd. and Route 82, a park which is long overdue. The park was donated to the city of Macedonia many years ago and was actually supposed to be a Veterans Memorial, but the idea had never come to fruition. Thanks to a joint effort from the American Legion Post 801 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9768, the envisionment has arisen as a phoenix.
I had a chance to sit down with veterans Frank Posar and Dave Pristash, who were more than glad to speak upon the noble project which they are committed to immensely. Frank was a Staff Sergeant in the United States Army Security Agency while Dave was a Captain in the United States Army.
The total cost of the park is estimated to be $350,000. The project is divided into four phases, with phase one currently underway. Aiming to be complete by memorial day, phase one still requires about $13,000. Visiting the Veterans Memorial Park website (click here for website) will provide all of the information needed, if you’d wish to donate.
An arch will overview the entry path of the park, which leads you to the front memorial plaque which is made of black granite and showcasing a gray granite base. It will have show five military seals surrounding a star. On the back of the plaque which faces the gazebo, touching words await the visitor.
YOU CAN CLICK TO ENLARGE ALL IMAGES IN THIS ARTICLE
The park will separate into two paths, the past and the future. “The past” will also display black granite plaques with gray granite bases which accompany you along the path, displaying an image and description of the war, starting from the Revolutionary War. Not only is the design aesthetically pleasing, but the educational utilization available for visitors is impressive.
“The future” will be the War on Terror, also having a black granite plaque.
Continuing on, there will be a paver plaza which will contain the names of Nordonia Hills soldiers that were killed in action.
A ten by twenty foot reflection pond nestling a fountain will also be within the park. Military memorabilia will be displayed.
Plaques will be made for major corporate donations, separated into categories based on amount. $1,000 to 2,499 falls into the Bronze ranking, $2,500 to $4,999 falls into the Silver ranking, $5,000 to $7,499 falls into the Gold ranking, $7,500 tp $9,999 falls into the Platinum ranking, while $10,000 and above falls into the Diamond ranking (more information here).
During our breakfast meeting, a gentleman sat at a table behind Gary Miller and I. He overheard our conversation and when he made his departure from the scene, he donated $100 dollars to Frank and Dave, relaying his personal appreciation for their mission. His face lit up with the purist empathy for the two noblemen, which left a strong impression on me. It may be a small amount but the man did not speak a word to us before, he was not familiar with any of us. All it took was his ears catching the words of Frank and Dave.
Let this action be an example for us all. Realistically, the amount of money needed for phase one to be completed is nothing major. An interactive community, common folk and businesses, could easily unite to bring this stunning park to life, to establish a beacon for where we can give our gratitude. An aesthetic haven.
Frank and Dave, along with their team, have put in a copious amount of work, always chasing for progression. The plan was summoned about two years ago, and in the last ten months, it has pushed forward with great momentum, as intricate details are explained thoroughly and are coupled with visualizations of the park.
Let us rid the barren emptiness and introduce a park which will not only catch the eye of every bustling ongoer, but also keep the spirits of those who answered the great call, alive. From the looks, to the knowledge instilled within the park itself, to the significance of its presence which is also built to last, this park will stand the test of time and will be invaluable to our community.
