Fallen Warriors Memorial nears completion, dedication

Construction is winding down on the Fallen Warriors Memorial scheduled to be dedicated on Veteran’s Day in Morgan City.
The Fallen Warriors Memorial Project is spearheaded by a group of Tri-City area veterans. The City of Morgan City partnered with the St. Mary Parish Foundation, an affiliate of Community Foundation of Acadiana, to receive private, tax-deductible contributions to fund the memorial.
The unique and permanent tribute honors the ultimate sacrifice of those men and women of the Tri-City area and expresses the everlasting gratitude of its citizens.
Marc Distefano, project co-chairman, said all that remains is the installation of the statues due to arrive this weekend, installation of the benches surrounding the memorial and the final stages of electrical work.
“This was a true grass roots project where we had significant support from the community,” Distefano said.
Project co-chair Terry Mayon added that if you add all donated materials, labor and expertise plus actual expenditures, “I’m comfortable saying we’ve spent over $250,000 on this memorial.”
The chairmen said a portion of the donated help came from Carl Blum, architect, and Roy Carubba, Carubba Engineering of Gray. Lafayette Electric donated all electrical supplies and helped design some of the electrical work. The City of Morgan City Public Works Department contributed site prep work and construction management, and the City of Morgan City donated land near the auditorium. C&S Memorial donated engraving and installation of granite. Morgan City High School and South Central Louisiana Technical College - Young Memorial campus, worked on benches.
Mayon said an example of how the project came together is the work on the benches surrounding the memorial.
Rob Radtke of Radtke Construction donated steel to build the benches; a Young Memorial instructor came up with the design; Young Memorial welders built the steel frame for the benches; Fab-Con blasted, coated and painted all metal; Morgan City High did the wood work, cutting and engraving the emblems of each military branch and names of major donors into the wood; and Jason Sanford Woodworking finished, sanded and coated the wooden parts of the benches. The City of Morgan City will help to install them.
“That’s just one example of the support that the city, citizens and businesses have given … without that support, we couldn’t do it,” Mayon said, adding “That’s how this whole project has really gone.”
It took over a year of planning and fundraising, but the final unveiling and dedication ceremony will be at 11 .m. Nov. 11. Mayon advised residents attending should bring a lawn chair for the hour-long event. There are already 150 reservations from family members and dignitaries, he said.
A portion of Myrtle Street may be closed, if traffic warrants, for the event, Mayon said.
The research that went into determining the names to be added to the memorial is in book form and available for $10. The money, Mayon said, will go toward a maintenance fund for the site.
Distefano said the group will work with the city towards forming a committee that will be responsible for managing the monument in the future. For example, “if there is another name that needs to be added to the wall, or additional bricks purchased, we will coordinate with the city to ensure this is done,” Distefano said.
Copies of the book encompassing biographies of those included on the memorial’s Wall of Honor are available from Mayon for $10 by calling 985-518-0662.