Veterans Memorial coming to East Longmeadow

A memorial honoring veterans and 21 East Long Meadow servicemen who gave their lives while defending our country is still currently in the works. >> 22 News reporter Kayie Thomas live in studio to tell us how soon we can expect to see this completion of the project and how you can help donate to the cause. >> Nick and Sierra, this project would be the town's first veterans memorial and the committee that's behind this project is getting closer to making it a reality for all. We feel that as living veterans, we have to honor and dedicate and carry on the legacy. >> Chairman of the East Long Meadow Veterans Memorial Committee, Terry Glasco, has been actively involved in the planning efforts since 2018. Glow and committee have worked to secure a plot of land in front of the town's Pleasant View Senior Center on North Main Street to construct a star-shaped memorial. It aims to recognize veterans from World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan, as well as those who served and returned home. In this spot, nine flags will be flown. And in this diagram, you can see that granite pieces will be installed and feature medallions of each branch of service. Each piece will include the names of those who sacrificed their lives in gold lettering. This will be an opportunity and a place for families of those who had someone killed and specifically gold star families have a place to go and reflect on um the sacrifice of their loved one. >> According to Glusco, the groundbreaking ceremony was expected Friday, but has been postponed due to logistical reasons. we were going to do there was just prep the site. In other words, get the surface ready and then come spring, we would uh install all of the infrastructure. The infrastructure being the flags, the monuments, and everything. >> They are still hoping to have that happen before the ground freezes. From increasing labor and construction prices, their budget has more than doubled. They first started out with a $475,000 budget and now has grown to nearly $824,000. They are just shy of $222,000 in reaching that goal. On your screen, we have the details of how you can help contribute. The project is expected to be completed by Memorial Day of 2026, ensuring that these veterans are never forgotten. working for you. Key Thomas, 22 News.