05/24/2026
(VERY long post alert)
Yesterday we had the unveiling of the new blocks and rededication of the Stuyvesant Veterans’ Memorial Park.
Where to begin…
The idea grew in 2023 when I presented to the Board an idea for a permanent Veterans Memorial Park on the grounds of the Town.
There had been discussions about Hometown Hero banners but with our Town being separated into 2 hamlets, that program didn’t seem like the best fit for our community. It also included extra work of putting them up and taking them down each year.
I started doing research about styles and costs associated with various parks around the country. I knew the work would be done in-house and/or with volunteers so it couldn’t be too complicated. I wanted to make it nice but not break the hypothetical bank I would be asking the Board for.
The Board told me to move ahead with the ideas in 2023. In early 2024 I got to work getting better cost estimates and met with Keegan Oneal. He is a Town Resident who donated his professional services as a Landscaper Architect and gave us our first glimpse of the possibility. The first plan was a circular patio. As the process went on, we realized that a square or rectangle would be more cost effective and less complicated for the people who would be putting in the work.
Supervisor Ronald Knott and I met with Pete Pelleschi at Mario's Home Center who was very helpful with determining what materials we would need and at what quantities. We left with a catalog and Supervisor Knott told me to decide. We decided on Cambridge blocks — light gray for the plain, a little darker for the engraved, and coal color for the center and walkways.
Supervisor Knott, Joe Scrum, Councilman Stiffler, and I got to work with drawing the modified plan for the rectangle and walkways. We decided on a circle for the center with the circular Military branch stones as an homage to the original drawings. Supervisor Knott brought his portable drafting table to the conference room table and we soon had the dimensions and a drawing.
We figured out what we needed and ordered from Mario’s. While this was going on, I was also working with Cantele’s to design the monuments for the park. The main stone with the name of the Park, the Purple Heart stone, and the MIA/POW stones. We also designed the circular Military branch stones. We were also meeting to determine the style of the engraving of the blocks. They agreed to accept blank stones and hold them for engraving.
Fast forward to 2025. A lot of work was going on in the background and we planned a spaghetti dinner fundraiser to help offset costs. We raised a good amount of money and the orders were starting to come in for blocks. The Highway Dept was working on the site to prepare it for the installation. They dug it out, graded it, and prepared the base.
Stones started to be installed at the end of the summer of 2025. They started with the walkways and the area for the large monument stones to be set in place.
Chuck Stiffler, Joe Scrum, Tony Link, Ron Knott, Troy Kay, and Alex Van Benschoten worked to get the park and the first engraved stones ready by Veterans’ Day. They did it and we had a nice “pre-dedication” and celebration of the first blocks.
Orders continued to come in and the next batch was sent to Cantele’s in March 2026. The weather was pretty uncooperative for most of the Spring but the goal was a dedication/unveiling ceremony and celebration on the weekend of Memorial Day. (I think they all thought I was nuts for planning it for then). They worked like crazy to get the job done. I was able to pitch in at the end as well as some community volunteers stepping in to help when they could. (I’m not naming any only because I don’t want to leave anyone out. Their work was very appreciated).
The Climate Smart Task Force approached the Board to ask about planting trees around the park. 6 Serviceberry trees were planted by their committee on April 23rd. One of the trees was donated by the County, one was donated by Tal Rappleyea (Attorney for the Town) and the Board purchased the other 4. They are a nice addition to the park.
The Town Board had wanted to purchase a bench to be placed at the park in memory of longtime Town Historian Juanita Knott (30 years as Historian). The bench was placed to the side of the blocks so people can sit and reflect on the service of the people named on the blocks.
On May 23rd we held the re-dedication. The weather was uncooperative but the event was an overwhelming success. Thanks so much to Melissa Heusdens and the Stuyvesant Falls Memorial VFW Post 9593 for helping with the planning and ex*****on of the event. We also want to thank the Columbia County Sheriff's Office for stepping up at the last minute and helping us out with the Honor Guard.
Thank you also to Assemblyman Scott Bendett for attending and speaking, as well as Patsy Leader. I want to give a very special shout out to Town Historian Cathy Reynolds Knott. She was instrumental in making the reception a success. I couldn’t believe the number of people who streamed in to the Town Hall and just kept coming. I was running around keeping the speakers on track and helping with getting more chairs around and Cathy kept that kitchen humming and the coffee carafes full.
I also want to thank the Veterans and their families for their service as well as embracing and supporting this project.
Some of us are in discussions about purchasing a bench honoring all
Community volunteers. The bench is $1100 and we have $200
In donations so far. If anyone is interested in adding to that, please contact my office. While the engraved blocks are solely for Veterans, the grounds surrounding it can be used for other memorials; trees, bushes, benches. Please contact me if you have any questions.
If you are interested in purchasing a block for a Veteran, they have to have a tie to Stuyvesant. They do not have to be deceased, and there are no particular requirements for what goes on the stone. Order forms are available for downloading from our website at www.stuyvesantny.gov. The cost for the stones is $100. If you have any questions please contact me.
I’m so thankful for our community.
—Melissa Naegeli, Town Clerk.
