Alexandria Veterans Memorial

[Bruce&Linda Dwyer]

FYI

At a previous meeting, Pat suggested that BikeWalk help to get this memorial
fixed along the Wilkes Street path.  See below a letter to the Gazette
showing a neighborhood interest.

 

http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=83712
<http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=83712&paper=59&cat=
131> &paper=59&cat=131 

 

Letter: Memorial Still Needs Fixing
Click to email letter <mailto:gazette at connectionnewspapers.com> 
June 28, 2007



 

To the Editor:
Unfortunately, the beauty of the Memorial which was dedicated to the
Veterans of the city of Alexandria, located at the 500 block of South
Columbus and Wilkes street, has been overlooked for quite some time after an
incident on the night of Dec. 21, 2006. As I recall, a loud noise, a sound
that brought a lot of attention from many residents of our community, Olde
Towne West, and nearby neighbors, it was a big bang of a bumpy ride for a
motorist that made a turn and found himself turned upside down and sideways
in a jam. With a window view I could see a person's hands waving, a man
looking upward as people were standing around. I ran and dialed 911. It was
good to learn that others had called as well. 
Within a few minutes the sight was of police vehicles, ambulances, and fire
trucks. The driver found himself in the middle of an audience. Next, one
could hear the breaking of glass as the firemen had to pull the man out of
the vehicle with a blanket - I gather to keep the man from getting cut. The
door of the vehicle could not be opened because of damage to the vehicle.
The city police, fire, and ambulance crew was excellent on their response -
within minutes in a life-threatening situation. After all this, the man
seemed to not care for any medical treatment as it was offered to him, but
found himself walking back and forth over and over before he was driven off
in a police vehicle. It was good to see the man was alright and walking,
"thank God." 
This was a source of conversation that lasted for a good while among
residents, and after the fact that the bike sign and pole has not been
replaced, as well as the fact that nothing has been done to repair the log
framework that was demolished and dismantled, leaving large splinter-like
pieces of wood surrounding the distinctive rock with its plaque, dedicated
to the City of Alexandria and in the honor of all Alexandria Veterans of
War, their service in war and peace contributed greatly to the welfare of
their fellow citizens and a contributed to the City Council Members year of
1979. This rock and its plaque is a historic site. But, in a lot of ways, I
am thankful that the Rolling Thunder Bikers did not stop for a second this
past Memorial Day weekend. For its condition is a disgrace and politically
speaking I am sure there is someone who has say so over the matter of
repairs. These repairs have been delayed and our community would like the
rock to remain within the community, just maybe some other type of fence
surrounding it would be more durable.

Geri Baldwin 
Alexandria 

 

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