For Immediate Release
Contact: Taylor Gray, Special Assistant to the Mayor tgray@stamfordct.gov / 203-977-5115 Milestone in Veterans Memorial Park Renovation
Stamford, CT — The renovation of Veterans Memorial Park is on the verge of a major milestone. Weather and conditions permitting, FGB Construction will begin to move the granite monoliths starting Monday, November 26th. Weighing approximately 75,000 lbs. (37.5 tons) each, the monoliths represent the “Four Freedoms”: Freedom from Fear, Freedom of Speech, Freedom from Want, and Freedom of Worship. President Franklin D. Roosevelt included these American goals in his “Four Freedoms Speech” he made on January 6, 1941, 11 months before Pearl Harbor, and they were immortalized in four paintings by Norman Rockwell, published in consecutive issues of the Saturday Evening Post in 1943. Currently grouped in a corner of the park, they will be situated in a sweeping walkway overlooking the future amphitheater, granite seat walls, and the central event space.
“This has been a joint venture between the City and the Stamford Veterans Park Partnership from the beginning,” said Mayor David Martin. “Our hope is that this will be the ultimate tribute to the thousands of Stamford men and women who have served our country: from the Revolutionary War to the present.” The Partnership includes a spectrum of stakeholders. It is currently chaired by Rick Redniss of Redniss and Mead (2017 Stamford Citizen of the Year), although it was initially inspired by Pat Parry, Gold Star Mother. The membership includes the Stamford Downtown Special Services District, Reckson Properties, Stamford Town Center, City staff, Patrick Sasser of the Brian Bill Memorial Fund, and the Stamford Veterans Council. BETA Group, Inc. - out of Hartford & Lincoln, Rhode Island – did the design. “The Veterans Park Partnership is proud to be helping renovate Veterans Memorial Park in honor of veterans and their families for their sacrifice, service, and dedication. Our goal is to celebrate Veterans Day 2019 in the ‘new’ park. We thank the City, State, and all our generous donors for all they have done to enable us to come this far,” said Rick Redniss. “I am thrilled that the monuments are moving. This is a significant step in the evolution of this park that will create a fantastic environment for our residents, veterans and all the patrons of the Downtown,” said Sandy Goldstein, President of Stamford Downtown. Please visit VetsParkStamford.org to watch the progress and make a donation. To honor a military hero, loved one, relative, friend, service member or veteran, one can order a custom engraved concrete or granite paver to be installed as part of the 5 Military Trees and Memorial Walkway in Veterans Memorial Park: https://shop.vetsparkstamford.org