Oxford American Legion Post 108 made a $10,000 donation last week to help fellow veterans in Orion complete a memorial to all those who served their country.
‘Our brothers in Oxford are so kind and thoughtful to help us with our project,? said Dr. Joseph A. Mastromatteo, chairman of the Orion Veterans Memorial located at M-24 and Odanah. ‘Yes, it will be a big help.?
Jim Parkhurst, military museum curator for Post 108, noted the veterans group decided it was time to put the extra money in their general fund ‘to good use.?
‘They need money to get the project finished down there, so we decided to help get it done,? he said.
‘Veterans helping veterans is what it’s all about,? said Post 108 Commander Mike Tyrrell, a Vietnam veteran.
The idea for the Orion Veterans Memorial (formerly known as the Orion War Memorial) was born in late 1993.
Most of the memorial seen today has been constructed since late 2004 as fund-raising efforts continue to collect the estimated $290,000 needed to finish the project, according to Mastromatteo.
So far, the memorial chairman reported approximately $690,000 to $700,000 in donations and in-kind work has been used to build what stands there today.
A dentist in the U.S. Army from 1960-62, Mastromatteo said the primary purpose of the memorial is to honor the 39 residents of the Orion Township and the Village of Lake Orion who ‘gave their lives in all wars? from the Civil War through Vietnam. ‘That’s the focal point of the whole memorial,? he said.
In addition to honoring those who perished in battle, the memorial will pay homage to all Orion residents who served their country, both living and dead, with a granite wall containing the ‘Orion Military Honor Roll.?
Five life-size bronze statues depicting a mother and father saying good-bye to their son and daughter as they enter the military will signify the ‘family separation? that comes with serving your country and going to war. The fifth statue will be of a ‘little sister? saying good-bye.
Other monuments will pay homage to the six branches of service (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines), those lost or buried at sea who have no graves or markers on Earth (dubbed the ‘peacoat monument?), winners of the Purple Heart and Medal of Honor and all the benefactors who contributed to the memorial’s construction.
Although the memorial will honor all veterans, particularly those who served in times of war, Mastromatteo said ‘it will be dedicated to world peace.?
A plaque bearing no names will be part of the memorial as a ‘challenge to all of us to seek world peace.?
‘We don’t want any names on there ever again,? Mastromatteo said. ‘We want to put an end to war.?
‘We’re still searching for that elusive goal. It doesn’t mean we should stop looking for it, stop working toward it.?
A ‘Pathway to Peace? containing bricks bearing the engraved names of about 400 veterans (and counting) from all over the country forms a significant and poignant part of the memorial. The bricks were purchased by the family and friends of veterans as part of the on-going fund-raising efforts. Mastromatteo noted there’s still ‘plenty of room? for more bricks.
Parkhurst said that ‘probably 25 percent? of the bricks bear the names of Oxford veterans.
The Orion memorial ‘means quite a bit? to Oxford veterans, said Parkhurst, noting six of the bricks honor family members of his who have proudly served.
For more information about the Orion Veterans Memorial call 693-6636. Donations can be mailed to ‘Orion Veterans Memorial? 312 S. Broadway, Lake Orion 48362.