Being a member of the L-A Veterans Council, I am eagerly awaiting, along with other members of the council, the dedication of the new veterans monument on Sept. 18 at Veterans Memorial Park in Lewiston.

Council members have been working diligently in raising funds to insure proper representation of all veterans at the park. We commend them for their untiring efforts.

None of this would have come about if it had not been the foresight of Joseph Paradis, who realized that there wasn’t a memorial of any significance in the Twin Cities honoring veterans of all wars.

Joe, as his friends call him, took the bull by the horn and started to canvas peoples of all walks of life, that a lasting memorial honoring all veterans was a must for our community.

He single-handedly collected 1,416 signatures and 51 letters in support of his request. He got letters from L-A’s state and federal congressional delegations and from state and local veterans organizations. His theme was, “The word veterans’ is slowly fading away.” This park will be a perpetual reminder that all veterans will be remembered. Joseph Paradis served his country in the Korean War and was taken prisoner by the North Koreans. He received the Purple Heart and other decorations for his service.

Thank you, Joe. With the prominence of the park, the word “veterans” will remain constant in our hearts and minds.

Jerry DerBoghosian, Post 22 American Legion’s representative to the L/A Veterans Council

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