Veterans Memorial Park needs your help

BY GINNY RAUE
WEST MILFORD — You may pass Veterans Memorial Park on Union Valley Road in West Milford daily or on occasion. Most often it goes unnoticed but once in a while, as you sit at the traffic light on Ridge Road, you may turn your head and note the well-kept pocket park. It’s often devoid of pedestrian traffic but it’s never devoid of the honor it bestows on veterans and fallen military heroes.

If you’ve never walked around the little park, you’ve never seen the plaques at the foot of some of the trees. There are currently 16 bronze markers denoting military personnel from West Milford who perished fighting for their country in World War I, World War II, Vietnam and Iraq. There’s an additional tree dedicated to canine heroes, the dogs of war; fittingly it’s a dogwood tree.

Now, the park that serves the township on Memorial Day, Veterans Day and for other suitable events needs some tender loving care. Super Storm Sandy took out three trees, one died on its own and 20 other maples in the park have been infested with anthracnose, a leaf blight that affects shade trees.

According to United States Navy veteran Glenn Wenzel, who serves as president of the West Milford Veterans Council, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #9189 and the American Legion Post #289 have stepped up to the plate to help fund the repair, treatment and replacement of the trees that establish the spirit of the park.

While Veterans Memorial Park is township property, the town’s veteran organizations oversee its use and strive to keep up with general maintenance, as needed. The township tends to the lawn and volunteers beautify the area, planting flowers around the bases of the trees.

“The veteran organizations, in equal parts, ponied up over $3,500 for tree services up to this point,” Wenzel said.

They are hoping to receive donations from the public to help defray that cost and to assist with the anticipated outlay for further tree treatments and services. Moreover, there are other maintenance issues that need attention. The monument that graces the park is in need of resurfacing, for instance.

There’s a valid point to keeping the park in good condition. It’s a place to sit, walk, read or reflect. But Wenzel captured its significance in just a few words.

“We are the caretakers of memory,” he said.

The hope is that a fund can be established, dedicated to preserving this little piece of land within the more than 80 square mile town. With the additional assistance of the township and volunteers, the park can remain a place for all to enjoy and a symbol of gratitude to all who have served this country.