A call to arms to salute veterans
“All gave some. Some Gave all.”
More than 200 years ago, George Washington cautioned the nation that the willingness of young people to fight and die for their country was “directly proportional” to their perception of how veterans of earlier wars were “treated and appreciated by their nation.”
Accordingly, on Sept. 5, 2018, an important era in our city’s history commenced with the groundbreaking for the new Veterans Park in downtown Stamford. It is no overstatement to say that this area is, for our city, hallowed ground. As early as the 1600s, this area of land had great significance, first as a central meeting place, later to be known as Central Park and then throughout the years, as the center of downtown Stamford. Any baby boomer raised in Stamford will remember it as a hub of activity in town, as well as the site of the Service Roll, a distinctive triangular white structure that held the names of the thousands of men and women of Stamford who served in World War II. When, the Service Roll was demolished during urban renewal, a group of citizens, spearheaded by Tony Pia, ensured the site would remain a significant landmark and in 1977, Veterans Memorial Park, was dedicated.
More than 40 years later, the park, which remains a fitting memorial to our veterans, needs to be modernized and adapted for modern use. Thus, the groundbreaking this week, is an important new chapter for Stamford. The park’s purpose is crucial: to remind our citizens of the rich and significant contributions Stamford has made to the nation throughout our history. Citizens of Stamford fought and died during the American Revolution. They performed courageously at Gettysburg, the Argonne Forrest, at Normandy, Inchon, during the Tet Offensive, and in the Global War on Terrorism. They distinguished themselves in every branch of service and are the recipients of every military award and recognition. And as has so often been stated, they represent every race, religion, ethnicity and socioeconomic background. Accordingly, our veterans have earned — and they deserve — a memorial which celebrates their lives and their sacrifices.
The added poignancy of the new park is that it will encompass two themes. First, with solemn respect and dignity, it will memorialize those courageous citizens of Stamford who gave their lives for this country and for the freedoms we so dearly enjoy. At the same time, it will honor and celebrate the lives of the thousands of Stamford’s men and women who served their country during this nation’s wars then returned home to lead lives of meaning and purpose and helped to build Stamford into the thriving community it is today.
One of the wonderful features of the park will be a section to honor such people. Citizens like you and I will be able to honor such people by purchasing a paver commemorating such men and women. I will be purchasing a paver honoring U.S. Navy Water Tender Robert J. Lawler and Seabee Michael A. Pavia, men and who served our country so nobly during the Second World War and went on to have a profound impact on me and my family. Both of these men, now deceased returned home from the war, raised families and served their communities. While their grandchildren never had the privilege of knowing them, they were raised to respect their grandfathers’ service. Now they will also be able to see them remembered in Veterans Park.
Thousands of Stamford’s citizens have fathers, mothers, aunts, uncles and friends who are veterans. I urge all of you who have loved ones who served their country and placed their lives in harms way, to take this opportunity to commemorate their lives and their service.
You may do so by going to vetsparkstamford.org and ordering a paver in their honor. If you do so by Dec. 21, 2018, their names will be there for the opening of the park next year. Your remembrance will not only celebrate their lives but will also contribute to the vitality of Veterans Park, a landmark that will become an important reminder of our heritage. Tony Pavia is a former principal of Stamford and Trinity Catholic high schools. He and his son Matt, a teacher at Darien High School, have written a book about Stamford citizens who fought in the Vietnam War. “An American Town and the Vietnam War” is to be released McFarland & Company at the end of October.