Lewiston veterans sought for expanded monument

Jun. 17--The Lewiston VFW is planning an expansion to veteran's memorial in Academy Park and they're looking for veterans with connections to the area whose names are to be engraved on the memorial.

The VFW is asking for locals to submit names of their loved ones who have fought with any branch of the U.S. military during any conflict for display on the honor stones planned for the memorial. The only requirement is that the individual have or had some connection to Lewiston, be it the village or the town and including Sanborn, Colonial Village, Ransomville or Model City.

"The Lewiston, New York (VFW) Downriver Post 7487 has announced a major redesign project that will transform the current Lewiston Veterans Memorial at Academy Park into one of the region's most renowned sites that pay tribute to those who have served our country," the VFW wrote on its website.

"It will be called the 'Circle of Honor' and will feature a large granite platform with the eagle defense symbol."

The expansion will involve widening the monument space to a diameter of 23 feet and the memorial will be brought to one level to improve accessibility and make it easier to read the names listed on the monuments.

A pair of new flag poles will be installed, which are to be illuminated with LED lighting, and the eternal flame will be made part of the monument centerpiece.

"The eternal flame will be repositioned within the granite centerpiece in a more prominent location," the project website says. "It will also be protected from the elements and kept safely out reach of visitors."

Veterans who are eligible to have their names included in the memorial can be either living or deceased and they must have been born, raised, attended school or resided in or worked in Lewiston.

Those seeking to submit the name of a loved one to be included in the memorial are asked to include with their submission a check for $150 made out to VFW Downriver Post 7487.

Submissions must include a submission form, which can be obtained on the VFW's website, as well as a copy of the veteran's honorable discharge (DD-214) papers. The mailing address for the submission can be found online at lewistonvfw.org.

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