Memorial project passes 50% of fundraising goal

Slightly over half of the $100,000 needed to construct the Fallen Warriors Memorial has been raised.
The memorial — to be constructed on the grounds of the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium across from the St. Mary Chamber of Commerce office — honors east St. Mary Parish soldiers killed in action, those who died from their wounds and soldiers who died non-combat deaths in World War I through the current wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Spearheading the project are Marc Distefano and Terry Mayon, both local foreign war veterans.
“We are going to be putting shovels in the ground starting Memorial Day to show that we are leaning forward with this very special project to honor all local heroes who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for this country and community. We are honored to have so much support so far,” Distefano said.
To date, 49 names have been identified for the memorial, the centerpiece of which is a life-size sculpture of fallen warriors of past wars handing a U.S. flag to a child. This is meant to symbolize the future generations and the sacrifices that we will still have for freedom, according to Distefano.
“The memorial will be an enduring symbol of that sacrifice and the burden that family members in this community bear on a daily basis. Furthermore, we want to honor all veterans, deceased or living, combat veteran or not, with the Walk of Honor: engraved bricks with their name, rank and branch of service,” Distefano said.
The project is scheduled for ground breaking on Memorial Day, May 26, and dedication on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.
The Fallen Warriors Project is hosting the Memorial Day Dinner at the Petroleum Club on May 22 to kick off the ground breaking ceremony scheduled in Cypress Park on Memorial Day. The dinner will be from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The guest speaker will be Gen. Larry Harrington, Army commander of Operation Enduring Freedom. Tickets are on sale at the Chamber of Commerce office in Morgan City for $50 each or $400 for a table.
Want to help? Make checks payable and mail to: St. Mary Parish Foundation, (Memo: Fallen Warriors Memorial), P.O. Box 2000, Morgan City, LA 70381.
See www.FallenWarriorsMemorialMorganCity.com and www.cfacadiana.org/FallenWarriors.
Contact Terry Mayon at 985-518-0662 or tmayon@bellsouth.net; or Marc Distefano at 985-312-6064 or marc.distefano@gmail.com.