By Michael Ryan
JEWETT - It was plenty warm inside the Jewett meeting hall last week, although councilman John Giordano said he was feeling “chills.”
Giordano shared that sentiment while giving town board colleagues an update on a movement to create a Veteran’s Monument.
The idea is taking deeper root after seeds were planted, two years ago, by local Judge Stephen Canfield, suggesting a method be found to honor all veterans who have been part of the community.
Since then, Giordano has taken the lead, slowly but surely organizing a grassroots effort to gather the names of vets from every war or conflict dating back to the Civil War and American Revolution.
He has also started to generate funding and seek prices for the monument, recently getting an estimate from Henderson’s Monuments in Catskill.
Giordano, in his report to the board, said Hendersons, “is going to do the monument the same way as the monument erected in Cairo.”
He was referencing the iconic memorial in the heart of the valley town, measuring roughly five feet tall and seven feet wide.
Giordano, saying the price set forth by Hendersons was $20,000, noted, “the price will include up to 300 names.
“There will be no punctuation between the names. There will be a star after those who died in service. There will be a notation of MIA for those who were recorded as missing in action.”
Hendersons will provide the monument while, “we will be responsible for installing the cement footing,” Giordano stated.
It is expected the memorial will be placed near the existing 9-11 memorial and an Old Glory flag pole, across Route 23C from the municipal hall.
In terms of where the 20 G’s for the project will come from, “a checking account at KeyBank in Windham has been set up,” Giordano said.
“Donations can be deposited directly by mailing checks to KeyBank or mailing to Blue Mountain Excavation,” a business owned by Giordano.
“After speaking with Gordon Mosher, the commander of the American Legion Post TGM 187 [in Athens], several fundraising ideas were presented,” Giordano said.
Mosher “will announce in the Greene County Round Table and the Penny Saver and at his meetings and events that we are raising funds.
Mosher dropped off a ‘Freedom Isn’t Free sweatshirt’ and is selling raffle tickets at his meetings to help raise funds for the monument.
“He gave us a small poster and he will give us tickets to sell as well,” Giordano said, detailing other outside fundraising efforts.
“Patrick Linger, the Greene County Legislature chairman, was contacted. He recommended we contact [county lawmaker] Jim Thorington (District 6, Prattsville, Windham, Ashland & Jewett).”
Thorington “has been contacted regarding a grant from the Greene County “Speenburgh Fund.” Jim will be dropping off the application for us to complete and submit,” Giordano said.
New York State Senator Michelle Hinchey’s office “has been contacted,” Giordano said. “An email will be sent with a narrative explaining what the Veterans Monument represents, the expected date we plan to erect the monument and our goals.
“Contact with local businesses has begun, looking for donations of items to raffle. Contact has also been made with Mid-Hudson Media to get air-time on TV, looking for donations from their viewers.
“Round Top Knit and Screen will print posters for us to put around town [related to fundraising]. We are waiting for the cost of the posters.
“Messages have been left at the Veterans Service Agency and various other contacts looking for leads on other grants,” Giordano said, endeavoring to cover as many bases as possible.”
Giordano explained that $2,000 has been raised thus far, in the early stages, including $1,000 pledged during the council meeting.
“We are hoping to raise the money in three months and take six months to build it, dedicating it by the end of 2024,” Giordano said.
“I can see this coming together. This is going to happen. Just talking about this monument gives me chills,” Giordano said.
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