On December 10, 2022, Oak Grove Cemetery held a ribbon-cutting for their new Veterans Memorial at noon.
Members of the cemetery’s Board of Trustees and staff were joined by John DeLucca, the chaplain of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Passalaqua Post 1026, VFW Trustee Sam Angello, and Councilmen Thomas Gribbin, Jonathan Oliva, Sam Rodio and Edward Wuillermin.
The Veterans Memorial incorporates the cemetery’s existing Veterans Monument, which was erected on land donated to the VFW in 1954. It was dedicated by Frank and Sue Bruno in memory of their son, PFC John F. Bruno, who was killed in action in Korea in 1953. It also stands to honor those who “fought and died for the liberty of their country.”
Oak Grove Cemetery was accepted into E.P.Henry’s HeroScaping program, which provided the materials. SiteOne Landscape Supply’s VETS1 program provided the labor and expertise, and other local contractors donated time and materials to help complete the project.
The new memorial features a retaining wall surrounding the existing monument, creating a large area for contemplation, gathering and honoring veterans. Future plans involve a flagpole, additional landscaping and more.
Additionally, engravable pavers, allowing up to four lines of text, are now available for individual memorials for $80; of that, $20 of each brick sold will be donated to the VFW. Order forms are available through the VFW and through the cemetery’s board of trustees, as well as at the cemetery office, or you can click here for more information and to order pavers.
Carlton “Skip” Measley, the president of the Oak Grove Cemetery Association, said that the support of the community was instrumental in creating a respectful tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
“It is our privilege to continue to honor the memory of the brave souls who gave their lives in defense of our nation. We are grateful for the contributions that have made this Veterans Memorial possible, and look forward to being able to give back to the VFW while continuing to create a special place in our community,” Measley said.
Members of the cemetery’s Board of Trustees and staff were joined by John DeLucca, the chaplain of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Passalaqua Post 1026, VFW Trustee Sam Angello, and Councilmen Thomas Gribbin, Jonathan Oliva, Sam Rodio and Edward Wuillermin.
The Veterans Memorial incorporates the cemetery’s existing Veterans Monument, which was erected on land donated to the VFW in 1954. It was dedicated by Frank and Sue Bruno in memory of their son, PFC John F. Bruno, who was killed in action in Korea in 1953. It also stands to honor those who “fought and died for the liberty of their country.”
Oak Grove Cemetery was accepted into E.P.Henry’s HeroScaping program, which provided the materials. SiteOne Landscape Supply’s VETS1 program provided the labor and expertise, and other local contractors donated time and materials to help complete the project.
The new memorial features a retaining wall surrounding the existing monument, creating a large area for contemplation, gathering and honoring veterans. Future plans involve a flagpole, additional landscaping and more.
Additionally, engravable pavers, allowing up to four lines of text, are now available for individual memorials for $80; of that, $20 of each brick sold will be donated to the VFW. Order forms are available through the VFW and through the cemetery’s board of trustees, as well as at the cemetery office, or you can click here for more information and to order pavers.
Carlton “Skip” Measley, the president of the Oak Grove Cemetery Association, said that the support of the community was instrumental in creating a respectful tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
“It is our privilege to continue to honor the memory of the brave souls who gave their lives in defense of our nation. We are grateful for the contributions that have made this Veterans Memorial possible, and look forward to being able to give back to the VFW while continuing to create a special place in our community,” Measley said.
