Rallying support for Crown Point's Veterans Memorial Park

CROWN POINT | Crown Point Town Supervisor Clayton Menser has a vision for Veterans Memorial Park. A former Marine (and the Essex County Leatherneck's "Marine of the Year" in 2025), Menser is a huge supporter of America's Armed Forces, and this Memorial Day, he will be a strong defender and supporter of the men and women for which the holiday celebrates. "I don't want people to forget the importance of our service members and what they have done for our benefit, for the benefit of the rest of this country," Menser expressed. "When you talk about flying the flag, it stands for freedom. If it wasn't for the military and all the work they have done, we would not be free today. I want everyone to enjoy Memorial Day and to keep in mind what the purpose of these celebrations are." On Veterans Day in 2022, the Essex County Leathernecks (a local group committed to recognizing the bravery and sacrifice of the United States Marine Corps), unveiled an impressive seven-foot-high polished black granite monument that specifically honors Marines from the Adirondacks. Following the annual Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25, Menser and several members of the Marine Corps League will host New York State politician Robert Smullen at the monument for an impressive show and tell and a photo opportunity. Smullen is running for Congress, and as it turns out, is a retired Marine Corps Colonel. "We want to show him the monument that we had built dedicated to all the Marines in the Adirondacks," Menser said. "Assuming he gets elected to Congress, he will be representing all of us." Four years after its debut, the Marine monument in Veterans Park still elicits positive remarks and praise. Eventually, Menser would like this monument to be one of several found within the park. "My goal is that we put in additional monuments dedicated to the service members from the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard, similar to the one we put in for the Marine Corps," he shared. "It is an expensive goal. In this case, the Marine Corps League funded the entire monument that is there now. Unfortunately, other branches of the services do not have an organization like the Marine Corps League, so we will have to fundraise in a different fashion." That "different fashion" may include grants, if there are any for such aspirations. Volunteers will be crucial in getting fundraising initiatives off the ground. "The Marine Corps League has some distinct advantages, they are a 501(c)(19) organization, that designation allows them to do tax-exempt fund drives," Menser explained. "We will have to make sure we fundraise legally, it may have to be sponsored by the Marine Corps League or by another non-profit organization." If anyone would like to be part of the groundbreaking fundraising initiative, Menser encourages them to reach out to him at 518-597-4104. The entire public is welcome and encouraged to attend the gathering at Veterans Memorial Park at the parade's conclusion. "If for no other reason, please attend so you can meet one of the individuals running for Congress," Menser added. For more information on the Essex County Leathernecks and how to join, please visit https://essexcountyleathernecks.org/.

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Rallying support for Crown Point's Veterans Memorial Park

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