recreation.southwindsor.org
Focus on the “V” in V.M.P. Veterans Memorial Park (VMP), South Windsor’s premier summer recreation spot, has had a long and rich history. The property was privately owned and operated as a public “swimming hole” as far back as the 1940’s and 50’s. It became a town-owned asset in 1962 and was long known as “Spring Pond”, as the pool water was fed by a natural spring. The park itself has undergone many changes throughout the years, creating a wonderful transformation from mud hole to modern pool. In 1968, its name changed to Veterans Memorial Park in honor of South Windsor military veterans. It was officially re-dedicated in June of 1982. Despite the handful of memorials and monuments that were put in place and the installation of the unique Eagle Patio in 2002, the “look and feel” largely remained that of recreation until 2016 when South Windsor’s new Memorial Wall, conceived by US Army veteran Peter Anthony and embraced by both the South Windsor Patriotic Commission and the community as a whole, was dedicated. This magnificent Wall of solid eight inch thick polished granite is 100 feet in length and stands 7 feet tall in the center, tapering to 4 feet at the ends. The Wall, embracing the six branches of service - Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marines - distinctly separates summer fun from the memorials in the park. VMP now truly and proudly stands for Veterans Memorial Park, honoring the men and women who have sacrificed their lives to ensure the freedoms that we so enjoy and celebrate today. Please take a moment, pause and reflect on the ultimate sacrifice made by the following South Windsor residents who gave their lives so that we may prosper. Better yet, pay a visit to the memorial that so beautifully honors all our local veterans, past and present.
World War I
Thomas Barry, Edward Hansen & Abe E. Miller
World War II Stanley Abecunas, Anthony Buddes, Erroll Burton, Thomas Cadder, Gordon Dimlow, John Gordon Grant, Edward Hyson, Oliver Jones, Edward Jurgelas, Justin Kizis, Anthony Krawfski, Alphonse Mikalonis, Everett Roberts, Albert Rose & Wesley Wilson
Korean War
Glenn Rose & Charles Starr
Vietnam War
Billy Gipson, Donald Ouelette, Stanley Nasuta & Lewis Newberry At last count, there were approximately 1,000 military veterans currently living in town. If you are fortunate enough to meet any of these folks, please thank them for their service to our country, and each time you enter the aquatics center at VMP be mindful of how lucky we are to have the freedom to enjoy such a marvelous facility.
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