Excavation began at the Veterans Memorial site in Ontelaunee Park on Jan. 28, 2021.

Andrew Talago, with Pennsylvania Site Contractors, donated construction services for the excavation.

“Materials for erosion control, underground drainage and construction fencing have also been donated,” said Bill Dellicker, secretary of the Northwestern Lehigh Veterans Memorial Committee.

“All four townships will be donating the pipes,” added committee President Donald Christ.

Ron Jerdon of Jerdon Construction Services is coordinating this work as construction manager at no cost.

Local businesses may choose to sponsor items such as flagpoles, benches or trees that will enhance the appearance and utility of the memorial.

A plaque will acknowledge the donor.

“Donors may contribute by sponsoring items in the memorial as well as ads in the Souvenir Memorial Dedication Booklet,” Christ said.

“Those who contribute to the cause will get a copy of the booklet.

“Each township will send their representatives out to see if local businesses want to advertise in our booklet.

The souvenir booklet will be available for a nominal price.

All the names listed on the memorial will be included.

The committee is moving forward despite the pandemic.

“Certainly, it would have gone a little faster if COVID hadn’t hit, which makes it hard to look for donations,” Christ said. “But we were moving all the time, holding meetings using technology and will continue to do so.

Currently the Rock of Ages quarry in Vermont is cutting the 11, 3,000-pound granite memorials and engraving the 2,484 names of veterans from this area who served in this nation’s military from the birth of our nation to the present time, according to a Northwestern Lehigh Veterans Memorial Committee news release.

All of the granite pavers, benches and caps for the stone pillars have already been received for installation when the weather breaks,

The granite caps for the pentagon flag base and the stone pillars were installed Feb. 9 which will allow for the lighting posts to be completed.

In early spring, 25 decorative trees will be planted and the 11 granite memorials will be set in place with a giant crane.

The Memorial Souvenir Booklet is being assembled for the Memorial Day 2022 dedication with an history of the memorial design and construction, along with recognition of all of the donors who contributed to this community project.

There is a contest underway in the Northwestern and Weisenberg elementary schools to name the bronze eagle that will be perched as a sentry at the entrance to the memorial site.

Students may submit names with an historical, patriotic or military connection which will require some research and creative thought.

A team of teachers and memorial committee members will select the name that best suits the veterans memorial theme.

About $80,000 is still needed to complete the memorial project.

Consider making a donation to support the completion of this beautiful tribute to those who served to protect the freedoms everyone enjoys.

Four years ago, the committee’s initial estimate for the cost per name was $100.

That was before the COVID-19 pandemic and before today’s inflation.

The cost now is almost $200 per name due to the increased cost for materials.

Commemorative coins are available at township offices and from the website for $20 each.

Mark your calendars for the dedication in Ontelaunee Park of this beautiful tribute to Northwestern Lehigh area veterans on Memorial Day 2022.

Visit nwlehighvetsmemorial.org for updates, additional information, donation instructions and photos of the construction progress.