From left, Herb Price and Terry Collins, both Korean War veterans and past commanders of the Candor American Legion, attended a groundbreaking ceremony on Oct. 22 for the Town of Candor Veterans Memorial. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
Individuals involved in the Candor Veterans Memorial project, residents and special guests gathered on Oct. 22 at Maple Grove Cemetery for a groundbreaking ceremony.
The Maple Grove Cemetery board approved construction of the memorial in May, and the Candor Chamber of Commerce is collecting donations via a fund drive.
The memorial, which will include a black granite stone monument and benches for seating will be placed at the base of the flag pole area, and near the entrance to the cemetery.
The monument will be inscribed with the words, “In honor of all who served from the Town of Candor in the military forces of the U.S.A. in war and peace to defend and preserve our freedom and in loving memory of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.”
Emblems from the six major branches of service will be displayed on the monument to include the Coast Guard, Air Force, Army, Marines, Navy and Merchant Marines.
From left, Herb Price and Terry Collins, both past commanders of the Candor American Legion; Collins, past Candor supervisor; Diane Craig of the Candor American Legion auxiliary; Rita Kellogg, president of the Candor Chamber of Commerce; John Holton, Tioga County Veterans’ Service Agency; memorial project leader Dick Zavatto; and Neil Lewis, of Richards Monument service, gather for a groundbreaking ceremony for the Town of Candor Veterans Memorial on Oct. 22. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
Construction of the memorial pad began during the week of Oct. 23. Richards Monument Service of Owego, selected to construct the project, was scheduled to pour concrete on Oct. 25 in an effort to ensure it is set well before winter and ready for a Memorial Day dedication next year.
Dick Zavatto, who has played a lead role in the veterans memorial project with help from a dedicated group of Candor residents, commented, “We still need to raise $3,000 to complete the project.”
The project, estimated to cost upwards of $9,000, will include lighting on the flagpole. Zavatto also hopes that enough funds will remain so that landscaping can be installed around the memorial site.
Terry Collins, Korean War veteran and past Candor supervisor for 12 years, was a special guest at the groundbreaking ceremony. Collins said about the memorial project, “It’s just wonderful.”
Donations are still being accepted. Checks should be made payable to the Candor Chamber of Commerce with a note on the memo line, “Veterans Memorial,” and mailed to P.O. Box 32, Candor, N.Y. 13743.
Pictured is a sketch of the Town of Candor Veterans Memorial. (Provided Photo)
Proceeds from the Candor Emergency Squad’s upcoming pork chop barbecue scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 12, will benefit the Candor Veterans Memorial. Dinners are $10 and will be served from 11 a.m. until sold out. Pre-sale tickets are available by calling (607) 659-5529 or email office@candorems.org.
For additional information, visit the Candor Veterans Memorial on Facebook or the Candor Chamber of Commerce web site at candornychamber.org.
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