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North Harmony Dedicates New Veterans Memorial

Residents and local officials gathered Friday at the newly-minted Veterans Memorial of North Harmony on North Maple Avenue. P-J photo by A.J. Rao

NORTH HARMONY–After five years in the making, the newly-minted Veterans Memorial of North Harmony is proving well worth the wait.

On Friday, a large crowd of onlookers, from state and local officials to everyday citizens, gathered at the 2239 N. Maple Ave. memorial — at the town’s Veterans Park — for a dedication ceremony.

Sally Carlson, town supervisor, spoke at the event, referring to the new landmark as a tremendous accomplishment for a small town of 2,350 people.

She thanked the town’s Veterans Memorial Committee as well as those who helped finance the effort for the past few years, including grassroots fundraisers, donations by local residents, gifts from local foundations and donations of time and talent by several others.

Invited guests included state Sen. Cathy Young, Assemblyman Andy Goodell and County Executive Vince Horrigan.

“During wartime or peacetime, (veterans) stepped up to defend and protect our freedoms and our quality of life … and we can never say thank you enough,” said Young, R-Olean. “That’s what this park is all about … to make sure that we honor the 800 people from this very small community who answered the call of our country and who believed in us so much … that they served.”

Goodell, R-Jamestown, commented on the enduring nature of the memorial and how this reflects the enduring thanks of a grateful community.

“Twenty-five years from, 50 years from now, 150 years from now, these names will be here,” he said. “The people who come after us will also be here honoring those who went before us, honoring those who’ve sacrificed and contributed so much for our country.”

Horrigan commented on the changing perceptions of the military from the contentious 1960s and the Vietnam era to today.

“We really had divisions between the people and those (serving the people), but over time, we’ve come a long way … and we appreciate the veterans,” Horrigan said. “As a veteran myself, I just want to say thank you because a community and a nation is only as strong as when we all come together.”

The Veterans Memorial contains five walls of Black India Granite, with the names of more than 800 local veterans. A centerpiece wall simply reads: “All gave some. Some gave all.”

The ceremony included appearances by local Legion color guard members and scout troops.

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