“This monument honors the past, present and future,” said Post Commander Ron Weakland.

It’s dedicated to the families who sacrifice to preserve freedom, said Legionnaire Mike Ryan, who, along with a committee from the American Legion post and help from Everett Marble and Granite, came up with a design that pays tribute to those who swore a military oath to defend the country.

The names are arranged alphabetically by family name. There are no ranks, service dates, awards or commendations listed, making those honored on the bronze plaques equals, he said, as no matter their rank, length of service or military branch, they were all prepared to give the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

Kenneth Burkhart, who served in the Army during the Vietnam War, found his own name, as well as that of his son, Shawn, on the panels.

Linda Hollar (left) and Vietnam veteran Kenneth Burkhart observe the newly dedicated monument in Carrolltown on Saturday. Burkhart found his name as well as the name of his son, Shawn, on the panels.

The monument, dedicated Saturday afternoon, is “really nice,” he said. “I like the way the names glow when the sun hits them.”

Burkhart and Linda Holler, both of Carrolltown, took their time walking around the monument laid out like a castle or fort. It has an outer defensive wall, a higher inner wall interspersed with parapets and a central keep, Ryan told the crowd gathered on a closed section of East Carroll Street.

Three flag poles fly the U.S. flag, for freedom; the Pennsylvania flag, for common local bond; and the POW-MIA flag, for unwavering commitment to each other.

Granite stones, standing much like soldiers at attention, are engraved on the outward side with the core values of military service — Duty, Honor, Country, Courage, Service, Integrity and Loyalty — and each value is illustrated with a quote.

“This will remain the land of the free so long as it is the home of the brave,” a quote by Elmer Davis, is engraved below Courage, while a quote by Alexander Hamilton can be found below Integrity. “Those who stand for nothing fall for anything,” the quote states.

On the inward side of the stones are the bronze plaques listing the names of veterans from not only Carrolltown, but also from Bakerton, St. Benedict and Post 506 members. There is also room to add more names, Ryan said.

A granite obelisk stands at the center and is engraved with the dedication to families and the American Legion symbol on the front, and the dedication dates on the back.

An American eagle, talons extended to protect her family, tops the obelisk.

At dusk, the monument and its flags are lit by lights embedded in the concrete and spotlights, two of which shine directly on the obelisk center stone and the eagle, Ryan said.

“It’s beautiful at night,” he added.

The monument was years in the making, with the last finishing touches completed about four days before the dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony, he said.

“We started it before COVID,” he said. Then, after the pandemic eased, supply chain shortages caused more delays.

“We just kept working at it,” he said. “We kept plugging away.”

It’s hoped the monument will inspire future generations as well as provide a history lesson.

Ryan, a veteran who spent 40 years with the Department of Defense, said this is at least the third monument honoring veterans built on this site, located along East Carroll Street, directly behind Fox-Peale Post 506 and across the street from St. Benedict Church.

The first monument he remembers from his youth was a “pile of stones” with a window. He recalls looking through the window as a kid and seeing the veterans’ names typed up on a piece of paper.

That monument was replaced by one made of brick, which was in need of repairs in recent years.

Instead of restoring it, plans were made to replace the monument with a new, modern design that incorporates local stone in the outer wall and a concrete slab from the brick monument.

Oldest veteran sings tribute

During Saturday’s festivities, Carrolltown’s oldest veteran, John “Jack” Dominick belted out a number of songs honoring the country and military branches, backed up by the Mario Crocetti band.

At 96 years of age, Dominick, a World War II veteran, said he is “one of the last ones.”

Born in 1927, he entered the military at 18 years of age.

“I went in in 1945,” he said. “Germany already surrendered but Japan didn’t.”

He served two years, with most of that time spent in Germany, he said.

He had two brothers who served in the armed forces as well. One lost both legs during the invasion of Sicily and another, who served in field artillery, lost his hearing, he said.

Dominick, who is well known in the area for his participation in festivals and celebrations, uses a cane for balance when walking, but the cane was forgotten when he sang to and with the gathered crowd. He swayed and bounced to the music and said he likes “to get the crowd involved.”

Following the ribbon cutting, Dominick finished his set with “I’ll be seeing you,” a popular WWII-era song.

Sidman resident and Veteran Doug Reighard, who served 24 years active duty in the Air Force, said he attended the dedication ceremony to show support to the Fox-Peale Post and the community. A member and past commander of the St. Michael American Legion Post 551, Reighard said he was taking pictures of the names on the plaques to show friends, who have family names on the walls.

He was joined by his son Cameron “CJ,” who at 9 years old is a member of the Sons of the American Legion. While CJ pointed out names, Reighard said he was impressed with the monument, noting “everything they do up here they do really well.”

Reighard said he wished all the Legions would be able to create a monument like Carrolltown’s.

“We are losing so much history, family history,” he said, noting a monument that lists all veterans by family name is important to show future generations their family’s involvement in protecting America.

“Stuff like this is great for the community,” he said.