Their duty was to serve; ours is to remember
Stamford has had a deep and meaningful legacy of sacrifice, service and profound loss in defense of this nation’s liberty and as much as any town or city in this country, the citizens of Stamford must remember these sacrifices and do everything in their power to honor and celebrate those who gave all in the service of this great nation.
Each year, Memorial Day provides us with an opportunity to reflect upon and celebrate, the great sacrifices made in defense of our nation and our freedom. Stamford’s Memorial Day Parade will step off at noon Sunday, an event which provides us with just one small opportunity to express our profound appreciation for the many sacrifices that have been made to preserve our freedom.
Another important development, one which has more or less flown beneath the radar, is the excellent work being done by the Stamford Veterans Memorial Park Partnership. This group, which has been working for more than four years, is seeking to improve and revitalize, a critically important city landmark, Veterans Memorial Park. This small area in downtown Stamford, originally known as Central Park, has been a historically significant location since the founding of the town, more than 375 years ago.
In 1943, the park took on added significance when it served as the location for the “Service Roll” which was constructed to display the names of all of those from Stamford who served in World War II. When it was dedicated on Memorial Day in 1943, a crowd of more than 10,000 local citizens witnessed the unveiling of more than 5,000 local men and women who were serving their country in harm’s way. Before the end of the war, that number would grow to more than 10,000 names. The Service Roll stood at that site for almost three more decades and became to many, a revered local landmark.
In 1972, during the massive Urban Renewal project which reconfigured the downtown area, the Service Roll was unceremoniously demolished. It wasn’t until five years later and due to the tireless efforts spearheaded by Tony “Sarge” Pia, that a new and elegant Veterans Park would be dedicated. The “new” Veterans’ Park contained four large granite monoliths which included the Memorial Wall honoring the almost 300 local citizens who gave their lives in the Second World War, Korean War, Vietnam War and the Global War on Terrorism.
One cannot help but be profoundly moved by the names on that wall. The names reveal all that needs to be known about Stamford and its rich and diverse history. They represent every race, creed, color, ethnicity and socioeconomic background to be found in our country. They include the children of Mayflower descendants and the children of recent immigrants, college graduates and high school dropouts, fathers and sons, Republicans and Democrats, rich and poor. They have names such as Horan and D’Agostino, Bankowski and Rodriguez, Smith and Mansell, Pastore and Branson, Praeger and Fox, Poltrack and Wasserman, Ehlers and Bill. And despite any differences all are heroes who served their country willingly and without condition. All represent the very best of their generations.
In its present state, this important city landmark is inadequate and needs to be updated and revitalized as a cultural center, a historic monument and an important educational resource for all of Stamford’s citizens. Accordingly, we should feel indebted to the Stamford Veterans Memorial Park Partnership (SVMPP). More importantly, we need to support this effort and do what we can, to ensure that this project is funded and completed and that it will serve to inspire future generations.
Without question, America’s greatness and the strength of its democracy has been the willingness of its citizens to stand up and defend its freedoms. Stamford has had a deep and meaningful legacy of sacrifice, service and profound loss in defense of this nation’s liberty and as much as any town or city in this country, the citizens of Stamford must remember these sacrifices and do everything in their power to honor and celebrate those who gave all in the service of this great nation.
We urge every citizen to support this year’s Memorial Day Parade and the efforts of the SVMPP. In doing so, not only will you be honoring and remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Just as important, you will also be celebrating our many veterans who have returned home to live meaningful and impactful lives.
The original Service Roll contained an inscription that read:
“These be our valiant sons and daughters who have gone in jeopardy
of their lives- let none who remain be found wanting.” Let us keep that promise.