May 27, 1996 Veterans’ Memorial Stone Dedication

A joint project of the American Legion Post #462, Lake View Cemetery and the Interlaken Historical Society culminated on Memorial Day 1996 with the dedication of a new Veterans’ memorial monument at Lake View Cemetery.

In the 1920s a large monument was installed honoring members of Company C, 126^th New York Volunteers. This was given by Madison Covert.

The thought behind the new monument was to honor all Veterans of all wars.

While the original proposal was replacing the old honor roll, the Legion suggested a more permanent memorial, and the Cemetery board was approached to be a part of the project.

As the plans developed, many people were involved. A donation from Seneca Stone of Seneca Falls provided the diamond shaped six by six by two-foot stone.

Fund raising materials were developed and volunteers worked on acknowledging the gifts as they were received. One of the early committee members was Ed Redman, former grocer and local veteran. Ed died unexpectedly in 1995, and the family suggested that gifts in his memory be given to the Veterans’ Memorial Project. When his wife, Jane died a short time later, additional gifts were received for the project.

By Spring 1996 the fund raising was completed. Funds were used to purchase the concrete to set the stone, purchase and install the bronze plaque, and provide a weatherproof coating. The balance was given to the cemetery for future care and plantings at the stone.

In early September 1995, the donated stone was moved to the Town of Covert Highway Department on Clinton Street. When it was tipped off the truck onto the stone pile, the ground shook.

Bob Doane, Tom Morrow and others prepared the foundation for the stone, and on September 13, working with the highway department, the stone was set in a place of honor on the south side of the flag pole. Jeff MacCheyne and Ed Turk from the Town of Covert Highway Department were assisted by Donald Betzler, Joe Arcangeli, Webb Rankin, John Swank, Elmer Wilson and Paul Brown.

Assistance with fund raising and acknowledgements were provided by Herb and Doris deLyser.

As part of the American Legion’s Memorial Day honor service, the stone was unveiled. Webb Rankin gave the background of the project and thanked all who had been involved.

Since then additions have been made to the site, a custom flag holder honoring each war with its special flag holder emblem and a general veterans flag holder are set in front of the stone. Individuals, and now the Green Thumb Garden Club, provided design, planting and care of the many plants which form the garden and pathway to the stone.

Don Betzler bringing the stone to the site. 

In order to lift the front end of the loader with the stone, a second loader was used to put additional counter weight on the first machine. In the end, two men also had to stand on the second loader so the stone could be lifted over the forms and set in place.

Bob Doane and Webb Rankin, two of the men instrumental in the vision and completion of the project..

The stone in place and its bed of concrete smoothed out. .

  

The stone as it appeared Memorial Day 1996. 

       

   Today, plants, flowers and flag holders honor all the men and women who have served in any and all branches of service and for different times in war and peace.

Dewitt’s Diary Tuesday, May 27, 1924

Cloudy and south wind followed by rain late this afternoon. I planted some garden today. Also planted my sweet corn just before the rain began at three o’clock.

Went down and got seed corn enough to finish my corn field. I have a little sorghum left that I have got to plant.

Trees in the orchard are partly out.