Stonington Veterans Monument Project

Stonington Veterans Monument Dedication Ceremony

Thank you to all who attended the Dedication Ceremony of the Stonington Veterans Monument on June 14, 2023.  Please click here to be directed to the full website associated with the monument.

Project History:

Thank you to all who have donated toward this important project!  As of February 2023, we have raised upwards of $146,000 through donors, grants and special events.  Additionally, we received $86,420 from the Town of Stonington ARPA funding for an art installation that will go on the eight sided monument with $10,000 of that amount earmarked for local artist(s)chosen to create the project.  

The cost of the monument is approximately $200,000, our goal was to fully fund this important project with a combination of sponsorships, donations, grants and town support.  We are pleased to share that we have surpassed this goal and continue to collect donations for future projects at the site including landscaping, up lighting and general maintenance of the monument.  The granite company is putting the final touches on the monument and the concrete pad, ADA sidewalks and landscaping at the site has been completed.  A dedication ceremony will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Flag Day, 2023. 

Since January 2020, the Office of the First Selectman has been working with the VFW 1265 Harley P Chase Post, Pawcatuck to create a Monument to honor the service of all military Veterans who have served our country from the Town of Stonington. Thanks to the idea shared by Tony Lombardo, the Town has moved forward with a plan to make this vision a reality.

The monument honors individuals who served our country since WWI and who call the Town of Stonington home. The monument features a new technology that will allow visitors to use their smart device to read through the list of names as well as allow names to be added over the years. We currently have collected over 6,000 names. Working in partnership with Buzzi Memorial plans were created for design and construction of the granite monument showcasing etched drawings. 

Thanks to the Stonington Police Commission, as well as the Department of Public Works and Engineering, the Monument is located on the Stonington Police Station grounds. This location was desirable due to the high frequency of traffic, ample parking as well as the lighting and safety. 

How you can help?

  • One-way individuals can support this effort is to join a new informal, advisory group to assist with this historic and patriotic mission. Please call or email us in the First Selectman's office: selectmen@stonington-ct.gov or 860-535-5050.
  • Read through the list of Veterans currently compiled and if you know of someone who served and is not represented please contact us at VeteransMonument@Stonington-ct.gov.
  • Make a donation to the Town of Stonington (write Stonington Veterans Monument in memo line). Checks can be dropped off in the Town Hall drop box or mailed to 152 Elm Street, Stonington, CT 06378.  We also accept credit cards.  Please call 860-535-5050 for more information.

If you would like to explore other ways to be involved, have questions or ideas please reach out to us anytime. We have also complied a brief list of FAQs below. 

Together we can create a Monument to offer our gratitude to our brave citizen soldiers and families who have sacrificed so much for our freedom.

 

PAST FUNDRAISING/OUTREACH EVENTS:

Please join us at one of our upcoming events to learn more about the project:

  • WBLQ Veteran Hour Radio Show - June 15, 2021
  • 4th of July Parade - Wadawanuck Square - July 4th, 2021 - 11:30AM-1PM
  • Dine to Donate - Bogue's Alley - July 16, 2021 - 6AM-5PM
  • Farmers Market - Velvet Mill - July 24, 2021 - 9AM-12PM
  • Veterans Coffeehouse - Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center - July 22, 2021 - 9AM
  • COMO Village Fair - Wadawanuck Square - August 7, 2021 - 11AM-4PM
  • Mystic Art Festival - Downtown Mystic - August 14, 2021 - 10AM-6PM
  • Mystic Art Festival - Downtown Mystic - August 15, 2021 - 10AM-5PM
  • Farmers Market - Velvet Mill - September 18, 2021 - 9AM-12PM
  • Dine to Donate - Mel's Downtown Creamery - September 27, 2021 - 12PM-9PM
  • Sunday Funday - Downtown Westerly, RI - October 3, 2021 - 12PM-5PM
  • Veterans Coffeehouse - Masonicare, Mystic - Ocotober 7, 2021 - 9AM
  • VFW Post 1265 - Fish & Chips Dinner - October 8, 2021 - 3PM-7PM
  • Veteran Day Parade - November 6, 2021
  • Veteran Day Luncheon/Discussion - Stoneridge - November 11, 2021
  • Saltwater Farm Vineyard Fundraiser - LOTS OF RAFFLE PRIZES!  - November 24, 2021 - 5:00PM-730PM
  • Special Experiences Raffle - Tickets are $50.00 and will be sold between Monday, November 22, 2021-December 16, 2021.  Drawing will be held on December 17, 2021.  You do not need to be present to win.  Prizes include Overnight stay for 2 at the Ocean House (with breakfast and watercolor book), Round trip airfare for 2 to Block Island and dining at Winfields or Yellow Kittens, Overnight stay for 2 at the Whaler's Inn with dining credits.  Reach out to Town Hall for more information 860-535-5050.
  • Bradford Sportsmen's Club Clay Crusher Charity Shoot - Saturday, May 21, 2022 - 9:30AM
  • Mystic Art Festival - Downtown Mystic - August 13, 2022 - 10AM-6PM
  • Mystic Art Festival - Downtown Mystic - August 14, 2022 - 10AM-5PM

IN THE NEWS:

FAQs

  • To accomplish the mission of honoring all those who served, in January 2020, the VFW Post 1265 Harley P Chase, Buzzi Memorials and the Town of Stonington formed a partnership to create a Veterans of Stonington Monument.
  • The objective is to document for public viewing and remembrance all those who served their country since WWI and will be able to capture future Veterans.
  • The proposed granite monument will be octagonal in shape and cover approximately 100 sq feet, with a surrounding sidewalk rimming the foundations to be built by the Town.
  • There will be a composition of grand niche pictures made of porcelain with near-field communication (NFC) protocols that will provide the names of all veterans via smartphone devices.
  • As of January 2020, the turnkey price was $178,808 from the Barre Vermont Granite Company. Additional related costs may still need to be finalized.
  • The VFW special Federal tax-deductible bank acct is able to accept donations and we are exploring other methods for accepting donations.