Veterans park society to select officers

MATAMORAS — The Veterans Memorial Park & Education Center Society will have their annual membership meeting on Sunday, Jan. 25, 1 p.m., at the Matamoras Borough Hall. Society President Dick Gassmann said that the meeting will include election of officers as well as a discussion of future plans. Kevin Stroyran and Gerry Wenders will show photos of the new entryway and paved parking lot that was completed in 2008. The Society is also looking for fundraising ideas. The Society is a 501c3 non profit organization and is seeking grant money from any charitable organization that donates to educational and patriotic programs like ours. The Society has thus far constructed the World War II, Korean, Viet Nam, and Revolutionary War Monuments. In addition, a monument that commemorates the visit of the “Moving Wall” a replica of the Viet Nam Memorial Wall in Washington DC, that was on display in 1998, and a piece of granite from the WWII Memorial in Washington, are also parts of the Veterans Park structure. The Matamoras Monument dedicated in 1949 to WWII residents has also been moved to the park. When finished, the park will have additional monuments for: the French & Indian Wars, the War of 1812, Mexican War, Civil War, Spanish American War, WWI, Cold War, and something to signify the Gulf Wars. The Society hopes to construct the Cold War Monument this year. The purpose is to honor living veterans of that time period. The official Cold War period was from 1946 to 1988. Any person purchasing a paver is a member of the Society. Those members and anyone in the general public interested in Veterans Park are welcome to attend.