July 23rd, 2021
Monroe County Executive Adam Bello and Nicholas Stefanovic, Director of the Monroe County Veterans Service Agency, have announced that Monroe County is seeking names of local fallen service members from the War on Terror, 1990 to present day, to be included on the soon-to-be complete War on Terror Memorial.
“It is critical that every fallen service member is honored on this beautiful memorial that is coming to Gary Beikirch Memorial Park,” said Monroe County Executive Adam Bello. “If you have a friend, family member, or loved one who lost their life in an American military conflict from 1990 to present day, please reach out to our Veterans Service Agency, or send us an email. We are forever grateful as a community, and as a nation, to our veterans, active military and all those who died for our freedoms.”
Families of service members from Monroe and surrounding counties who lost a loved one in U.S. military conflicts beginning in 1990 through present day should contact the Monroe County Veterans Service Agency, or email [email protected] to have a name included on the memorial.
“As we are in the final stages of the War on Terror Memorial project in Gary Beikirch Memorial Park, we have arrived at the most important piece: recording and engraving the names of our fallen service members in the 6 county region who gave their lives in this conflict,” says Stefanovic. “We need assistance to avoid leaving out any of our brothers and sisters who belong on these sacred stones. It is imperative that we recognize all of them. While we have assembled an accurate list, we need to make sure the community has the opportunity to make submissions.”
The new memorial will feature 10 concrete columns that display military emblems. Five emblems represent the branches of the military, one emblem represents the Prisoners of War and service members Missing in Action, and four emblems commemorate the Gulf War, United Shield in Somalia, Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Iraqi Freedom. The centerpiece of the memorial will be a life-sized battlefield cross statue depicting the boots, gun and helmet of a fallen soldier on a raised pedestal. It will be located southeast of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial of Greater Rochester in Gary Beikirch Memorial Park.
Upon completion, the Monroe County Parks Department will perform routine upkeep and maintenance of the memorial. The memorial committee continues to raise funds for an endowment that will pay for any significant future repairs.
