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Vietnam Veterans of America |
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Veterans
Memorial Trail of Honor
The Veterans Memorial Trail of Honor at Lasdon
Park was dedicated on October 19, 1997 and features memorials
and monuments honoring the Veterans of Westchester County and
our Nation from the American Revolution through the present day.
A special memorial also recognizes and pays tribute to Gold Star
Mothers for their own sacrifice. Beginning with the flags of the
Merchant Marine, Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and Air Force,
the trail soon brings the visitor past a canon from the
Spanish-American War, and then to a memorial dedicated to the
memory of the men of the Merchant Marine who have been lost
during America's military conflicts. As the trail continues on
into the forest, one will next pass a series of bronze busts on
stone cairns. Each cairn features 44 stones on the front face,
representing the 44 cities and towns in Westchester County. The
busts are copies of original works created by artist and Veteran
Niels Anderson that were displayed at the Franklin Delano
Roosevelt Veterans Hospital in Montrose, NY, where Anderson
himself had been a patient. The busts depict servicemen of the
American Revolution, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War,
World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and
the Persian Gulf War. An additional bust honors female nurses. A bust featuring a soldier
from the War of 1812 was crafted by sculptor Barbara Lepak. Continuing along the trail, one next approaches the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the largest in the park, dedicated to all those who served during the Korean War, particularly the men of Westchester County who gave their lives during this conflict and now have their names engraved on the face of this ten foot high black obelisk. The opposite side of the stone is etched with a map of Korea. Opposite is a flagpole flanked by two stone benches and two plaques. There is also another, smaller, stone monument and rows of memorial bricks with inscriptions. As the loop trail heads back towards the parking lot, the final two monuments are reached. The first honors the men and women of the infantry or Special Forces soldiers who have served in ground combat under hostile fire since December 6, 1941 and thereby earned the Combat Infantry Badge. The last monument is in honor of our Nation's Gold Star Mothers - those who have made the greatest sacrifice a mother can for her Country. The Trail of Honor is open year-round and tours are provided on request from Chapter 49 WA. Services are held at the Vietnam Memorial on Veterans Day and Memorial Day. A Candlelight Vigil is held there on the last Sunday before Christmas every year. Please contact Chapter 49 for information:
Dan Griffin, Executive Director A printed Trail Guide, as well as a recorded Audio Trail Guide, have been created and made available as part of the Eagle Scout Service/Leadership Project of White Plains Troop 73 Scout Brodie Guinan. They can both be found at:
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