Vets raise funds to clean Monessen’s war memorials
Holly Tonini
Eastgate Memorial
Holly Tonini/For the Observer-Reporter
Eastgate memorial
Holly Tonini
Eastgate Memorial
Holly Tonini/For the Observer-Reporter
City Park Memorial
Holly Tonini/For the Observer-Reporter
City Park Memorial
Holly Tonini
City Park Memorial
Holly Tonini/For the Observer-Reporter
City Park Memorial
Holly Tonini
City Park Memorial
By Trista Thurston
Monessen’s two war memorials are looking bright, shiny and nearly new after restoration work was recently completed.
Local veterans banded together to raise funds to clean the city’s prominent statues, one in City Park and the other on Eastgate Avenue.
Ron Chromulak is the commander of VFW Post 1190 and vice-chairman of the Monessen War Veterans Memorial Trust. In a recent interview, the 78-year-old native said no significant work was done to either monument in the decades since construction. Both were starting to show their age, not looking as good as a memory to fallen heroes should. Though there was no noticeable damage, the memorials were dingy: sap from nearby trees or air pollution collected on the facades.
Chromulak said Monessen War Veterans Memorial Trust was established to ensure money would be available to keep them standing in the event there are no longer area veterans around to ensure care for the memorials. John Dudas, commander of American Legion Post 28, chairs the trust.
Once it was decided the memorials would need a good scrub, the group selected Raimondo Restoration, a Westmoreland-based company that specializes in preserving and restoring exterior masonry. The trust then began soliciting donations for the project, which was estimated to cost $10,000.
Chromulak said the company would clean, repair and seal the structures to stay in good shape. The work, which took about two weeks to complete, finished in early September.
“We’re asking people to continue sending money in,” Chromulak said, even though the trust is close to hitting that $10,000 mark. Any additional funds would go toward any further maintenance: repairing flagpoles, replacing flags, new light bulbs and the like.
“In addition to getting these memorials restored, we also have another project that goes hand in hand,” Chromulak said.
The VFW is in the process of raising money to rename pavilions, the walking track and amphitheater in City Park in honor of Monessen veterans killed in action. Bronze plaques will adorn these spaces.
Three picnic shelters and the walking track will be renamed: SP4 Robert A. Lhota Memorial Shelter, SP4 George A. Milika Memorial Shelter, the SPC Anthony E. Madison Memorial Shelter and the Capt. John Patrick Onderko Memorial Walking Track. Lhota, Milika and Onderko died in Vietnam, while Madison was killed when an Iraqi Scud missile struck his U.S. Army barracks during Operation Desert Storm.
The amphitheater will be dedicated to Edward D’Alfonso, conductor of the Tactical Air Force Band. Chromulak thought this would be a particularly appropriate designation.
Anyone interested in contributing to the memorial restoration can mail a check made out to the Monessen War Veterans Memorial Trust, P.O. Box 145, Monessen, PA 15062.
Those interested in donating to the City Park plaques can make a check out to VFW Post 1190 with “City Park plaques” in the memo. Send checks to 354 Balazia Ave., Monessen, PA 15062.