East Longmeadow veterans memorial committee

Created in 2017, the East Longmeadow Veterans Memorial Committee was formed to ensure the creation of a memorial to be constructed in front of the East Longmeadow Senior Center. While this memorial will honor all veterans, it will be dedicated to the twenty-one East Longmeadow servicemen who gave their lives while defending our country.

Above is a copy of the memorial rendering. The memorial itself is star-shaped. One will enter from the left and proceed along the black granite stone of WWI then proceed to WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq/Afghanistan, MIA, etc. Nine flags will be flown, and black granite pieces will feature the medallions of each branch of the service. Each granite stone will be beveled on top at a 45-degree angle and will have the names in gold lettering of those who sacrificed their lives. To the right of the actual memorial will be a small park for reflection which will feature flowers, park benches and a battle cross monument. The walkway will be paver stones.

The overall cost is approximately $580,000. Since 2018 we have raised about half of that amount, hampered by COVID for almost 22 months. Through the efforts of our committee, we have achieved our tax-exempt status, applied for numerous grants, secured the plot of land in front of the Senior Center, received bids from construction and design companies, solicited donations from friends, residents, and local businesses, and held numerous fundraisers.

Local and state leaders have been fully supportive as well. We are grateful for all the support, but OUR MISSION IS NOT OVER.

The work continues and we need everyone who would like to honor our veterans to help. Donations to this GoFundMe page will be used to achieve this goal, but there are other ways to contribute to the memorial.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about the East Longmeadow Veterans Memorial which will be for everyone to enjoy and to reflect on the sacrifices made by our Veterans that have served our country and preserved our way of life.

East Longmeadow Veterans Memorial Committee Members:

Terry Glusko, Sr. - Chairman

P. Robert Wallace - Co-Chairmen/Design and Construction

Thomas O'Connor - Treasurer

Edward Brown - Treasurer

Walter Esposito - Recording Secretary

Thomas Gour - Advertising and Marketing

Donald Gamache - Advertising and Marketing

Mark Richard - Committee Member