"I know the village of Potsdam has been working with the local veterans' organizations on this plan for the past few years, and I am pleased I was able to secure funding to help move this project forward," she said.
Potsdam Village Planning and Development Director Fred Hanss said the plan includes moving three veterans' monuments currently on the lawn in front of Clarkson University's Old Snell Hall to a new location just east of the existing gazebo at Ives Park.
He said the new plaza, on the banks of the Raquette River, will include the existing memorials that honor the 57 members of the armed forces from the Potsdam-area that lost their lives in World War I and World War II. The other monuments honor those killed in Korea and Vietnam.
Monuments honoring those who have served in Iraq and Aghanistan will be added, and poles flying the American and Prisoner of War flags will also be installed at the new location. A pathway from the memorials to the Raquette River is planned, and additional park benches will be placed in the area.
Mr. Hanss said Potsdam's Memorial Day observances have been held at Ives Park for years, but the Veterans' Day observances have been held on the lawn at Old Snell Hall, where the memorial tablet honoring the war dead from World Wars I and II was erected in the late 1940s.
"The new site will be much more appropriate location for these observances to take place," he suggested.
Assemblywoman Russell said the Ives Park location is ideal for the tribute to those who have served or are serving in the military.
"I am pleased to be able to provide some seed money for this project. The location is clearly much more ideal for services honoring our veterans and those who made the supreme sacrifice and will also be much more accessible for our veterans with mobility challenges. This plan also fits in well with the village's vision for enhancements to Ives Park. I look forward to seeing the final results later this year," Assemblywoman Russell said.
"It is commendable that so much thought and work has gone into ensuring that those that have given the ultimate sacrifice will always have a prominent place of remembrance in this community," she noted.
"It is heartening that as new projects are planned and public spaces are revitalized we continue to recognize the sacrifices of those in our history that have made it all possible," according to Assemblywoman Russell.
"I consider it a personal responsibility to help ensure that we never forget those that have made the ultimate sacrifice. Reflecting on their commitment to the rest of us provides me with guidance and perspective and a renewed energy and purpose," she pointed out.
"I hope that the creation of a new memorial will enhance the ability of this community to reflect on the role of these honored dead. And that the comrades of our fallen have a fitting setting to pay tribute to their heroism and stay connected to their bonds of brotherhood forged during the fight for freedom," Assemblywoman Russell said.
Potsdam Mayor Ron Tischler said the village has been working closely with veterans' organizations to bring the project to fruition. He shared news of the $15,000 grant secured by Assemblywoman Russell during the Memorial Day observance at Ives Park.
"Our target date is to have the project completed by Veterans' Day, Nov. 11. I think this is going to be a great addition to Ives Park and the community as a whole," Mayor Tischler said.
"We want to thank Assemblywoman Russell for securing the funding for us. This plaza will be a great opportunity to thank our veterans and honor those who have given their lives for our country," he added.
Mayor Tischler said village officials have been working on the project with Veterans of Foreign Wars Roy D. Graves Post 1194 Commander Bob Crary and leaders of other veterans' organizations in the Potsdam area.
Commander Crary said the effort to find a more appropriate location for the monuments started many years ago, and he said some members of the Disabled American Veterans, including the late Richard LaPage, were instrumental in moving that plan forward.
"I am pleased we are going to be able to make their dream come true. A lot of veterans during my tenure as commander of the VFW have told me they would like a place where they could go and remember our brothers in arms. The present location just doesn't justify that, but the new space will provide more space where veterans can go and sit, reflect and remember," Commander Crary said.
He noted paving bricks will be sold as part of the fundraising effort for the plaza. Those bricks will include the names of veterans that have served in the armed forces.
He praised Potsdam Village Administator Everett Basford and Mr. Hanns for their support and work on the effort to establish the veterans' memorial at Ives Park.
Commander Crary said he was also appreciative of Assemblywoman Russell's support for the project.
"I'm very excited about it. It gets us started," he said.
Assemblywoman Russell followed up on a theme set by the main speakers at the Potsdam Memorial Day observance, Lt. Col. Jennifer A. Amato, commander of U.S. Air Force ROTC Detachment 536 at Clarkson University, and Potsdam resident John Lancaster, who served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps and was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his valor in combat.
Both speakers shared the names of men they had served with that lost their lives overseas.
"As this community grows and changes, there is one constant. The ability to prosper has been secured by personal sacrifice made for love of our country, our democracy and the desire for generations to come to live peacefully in a fair and just society," Assemblywoman Russell said.
"Without the dedication of those that made the ultimate sacrifice, we would not be who we are today. We would not enjoy the personal freedoms that are so important to the fabric of this community," she noted.
IN THE PHOTOS:
TOP:
Veterans of Foreign Wars Roy D. Graves Post 1194 Commander Bob Crary (center) stands at the site of the planned veterans' memorial space at Ives Park in Potsdam. He discusses plans to move three monuments currently located on the lawn at Old Snell Hall to Ives Park with Potsdam Mayor Ron Tischler (l) and Potsdam Planning and Development Director Fred Hanss.
BOTTOM:
The first monument honoring the 14 men from the Potsdam area who died while serving in the military during World War I and the 43 men killed in action during World War II was erected in the late 1940s. That monument and the tablets honoring those who served in Korea and Vietnam will be moved to Ives Park later this year.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Roy D. Graves Post 1194 Commander Bob Crary (center) stands at the site of the planned veterans' memorial space at Ives Park in Potsdam. He discusses plans to move three monuments currently located on the lawn at Old Snell Hall to Ives Park with Potsdam Mayor Ron Tischler (l) and Potsdam Planning and Development Director Fred Hanss. The mayor has called for the project to be completed by Veterans Day, Nov. 11.
A women in attendance at the Memorial Day observance in Potsdam's Ives Park show her appreciation to those who serve our country.
The Rifle Squad fired a 21-gun salute to honor those members of the United States armed services who died while serving in the military. Stanley Crump, who served as the master of ceremonies at the Potsdam Memorial Day observance, noted many of those soldiers, sailors, airman and Marines were lost at sea or their bodies were never recovered.
A bugler plays "Taps" during the Memorial Day observance at Ives Park in Potsdam.
The Potsdam High School band, under the direction of Jill Rubio, concluded the Memorial Day observance in Potsdam by playing National Anthem.
A bugler plays "Taps" during the Memorial Day observance at Ives Park in Potsdam.
The Potsdam High School band, under the direction of Jill Rubio, concluded the Memorial Day observance in Potsdam by playing National Anthem.
