New memorial planned for Vt. Iraq and Afghanistan soldiers
'Ride to Remember' will raise funds for project on Aug. 29
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By Stefan Hard Times Argus Staff - Published: August 14, 2009
To date, 35 Vermonters have given their lives in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Now their loved ones and families are trying to create a granite memorial to honor their sacrifice—and hope an Aug. 29 ride will help raise funds to make it a reality.
Vermont Fallen Families spokesperson Marion Gray of East Calais, who lost her stepson, Jamie Gray, in Iraq in 2004, said the Ride to Remember invites anyone to remember the fallen by visiting at least 5 of the 27 Vermont towns, from Bennington to Jay, that were home to the 35 fallen soldiers.
"We have almost 100 riders registered already, but we'd really like to see a couple of hundred more," said Gray, who noted that each rider must collect a minimum of $50 toward the estimated $350,000 cost of the proposed memorial.
The Ride to Remember will be held August 29, and riders can learn details and register at www.ride to rememberVT.org..
Riders must visit at least 5 hometowns of the fallen, and must gather, at the end of their ride, by 5 p.m. at Lucky's Trailer Sales in South Royalton in the mid-point of the state. Riders can travel in any kind of vehicle, in groups, or individually, but are encouraged to spread the word about the memorial wherever they visit. Donations and pledges will be tallied and prizes will be awarded at Lucky's at the end of the day.
The memorial ride will feature 10 prizes for riders who collect tokens, each with the name of a fallen Vermont soldier, from participating businesses in the 27 towns. The tokens will be collected to create winning "poker" hands.
Another 11 prizes will be awarded to riders who will compete individually for amounts they raise toward the memorial. The grand prize in this category will be a 2009 Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 motorcyle from Wilkins Harley-Davidson in South Barre.
Gray said Wilkins and five central Vermont auto dealerships sponsored the grand prize, including Cody Chevrolet, Courtesy Toyota, Town & Country Honda, Poulin Auto Sales, and Crossway Saab.
Designer Dave Morissette of Granite Importers in Barre has been refining the design of the memorial, which is to be constructed of select Barre gray granite. Gray said the design of the memorial has been approved by the families of the fallen soldiers, and by the Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery Commission.
At the heart of the memorial will stand a granite sculpture titled "Falling Leaves." It consists of a semi-circular pedestal adorned with the five armed forces service emblems. Sitting on the pedestal in the foreground relief is a rifle, combat boots, helmet and dog tags, with a background featuring a citizen soldier, maple tree, Green Mountains, and Statehouse. Fallen leaves from the tree represent the fallen soldiers.
In front of the central sculpture, a large sarcophagus carries the names of the Vermont soldiers. Monoliths to either side honor all who have served in the Global War on Terrorism, and the families that stand behind them.
"It is hard to imagine a more important project for a memorial designer," said Morissette.
While the memorial's design is largely complete, funding the project is still a challenge, and the families have yet to nail down a location for the memorial, although their first choice is clear.
"We are working towards a location for the memorial inside the gates of the currently developed portion of the Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Randolph Center," said Gray.
No tax dollars are being sought for the memorial, which will be privately funded.
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