Gold Star Mothers' Monument and Memorial, Wheatfield NY, 2024 Dedication

On September 28th, 2024, a formal dedication service was held behind the Wheatfield Town Hall building at the Wheatfield Veterans Monument and Memorial in Honor of Gold Star Mothers of our region and the unique tribute to them at the site. A statue of a grieving mother, kneeling in deep reverence towards the sacrifice she represents for all mothers and families who lost sons and daughters to war. US Army veteran Tom Kontak and members of the Veterans Monument Committee organized the event while honorable members of the Western New York Military Order of the Purple Heart provided refreshments. The Wreathe contributed is a replica of one that stood for Gold Star Mothers standing at the cenotaph, present at the current site but had once been at the Wheatfield Highway Garage property in 1953, where three other Gold Star Mothers of that time also stood. There were several Gold and Blue Star Mothers and their families present and all were honored. Keynote to the ceremony, however, was Fran Davis, Cathy McFarlane and Holly Baker (President of WNY Gold Star Mothers Inc.) 8 chapters of this administration remain in WNY of a national association created in 1928. The Invocation and Closing was by Rev. Denton White, Pastor at Holy Ghost Lutheran Church in Bergholz. The Welcome Address was by Town of Wheatfield NY Supervisor Don MacSwan (twice recipient of the Purple heart, Vietnam). Speakers included NYS Senator Robert G. Ortt and NYS Assemblyman Angelo J. Morinello (both veterans) and US Congressman, Tim Kennedy. Wheatfield Town Historian Justin Higner presented floral bouquets to each of the Gold and Blue Star Mothers as bagpiper and fireman Kevin Mahoney performed 'Amazing Grace' during the hand out. Other guests included former Niagara County Legislative Chair William R. Ross (Army veteran), Russel Casterline (Korea veteran, Purple Heart recipient), Town Counselman Randy Retzlaff, Larry Helwig and Curt Doktor, Town Justices Gary Strenkoski and Angela Stamm-Philips, Niagara County Sherriff Michael Filicetti, Town Clerk Kathrine Harrington-Smith, former Town Counselman James Heuer, along with other attendees, guests and veterans from WW II and on.