(Photo Source: Kevin L. Smith of The Cortland Voice).
Funds were recently donated to restore the World War I monument at Courthouse Park in the city of Cortland.
The Chapter 377 Vietnam Veterans of America in Dryden donated $16,800 to help with restoration of the monument.
(Photo Source: Kevin L. Smith of The Cortland Voice).
Gary Napieracz, president of Chapter 377, made a brief speech at a ceremony last week:
Good morning, my name is Gary Napieracz, president of Chapter 377.
Back in May, 2021, Chapter 377 Vietnam Veterans of America from Dryden, NY sent out donation letters and visited businesses in Cortland and the surrounding area to help raise money to restore the Eternal Flame Memorial dedicated to Vietnam veterans.
On November 11, 2021, at the Veterans' Day ceremony, we rededicated the Vietnam monument.
Because of Chapter member Jerry Gailor, who researched all the names on the monument, and found one name was not on the Cortland Vietnam monument, but was on the wall in Washington, D.C. on July, 15, 2022 Corporal Ronald Francis Liscum, born in Homer, NY, died in Vietnam on December 28, 1969, was added to the Cortland Vietnam monument.
Because of the efforts of our committee members, we were able to restore the monuments. Members were Gene Barnes, Ron Dexter, Jim Evener, Jerry Gailor, Greg Harvey, Larry Housel, Fran Moore, Richard Moore, Pat Snyder, Dale VanBenschoten and Kevin Walsh. Also, three Associates of Vietnam Veterans members: Wahneta Evener Lisa LaDieu and Cheryl Wunder.
Because of these members, who gave countless hours to help restore our monument, and thanks to the amazing generosity of everyone who donated, we were able to raise more money than we needed to restore our monument. And, so today, we are pleased to donate the remaining $16,800 to restore the World War I monument.
Thank you
Gary Napieracz
