A New Garden To Honor Veterans

Residents are invited to contribute to a new Veterans Memorial Garden underway behind the Newtown Youth Academy.

As of Veterans Day, November 11, 2011, the youth academy staff has offered the opportunity for members of the public to purchase “personalized engraved brick pavers to honor veterans past, present, and future. The honorary brick pavers will be set around the walkway of the 40-foot lighted fountain in the courtyard behind the NYA Sports and Fitness complex as part of a Veterans Memorial Garden, according to a press release issued by NYA. The garden will be dedicated on Memorial Day, May 28, 2012.

President and CEO of SCB International and NYA founder Peter D’Amico said, “People are dying,” while fighting for this country. “Considering everything the troops are doing; we ought to do something in return. It’s my way of saying thank you,” he said this week.

“It is important to honor the men and women that have and are serving in the US military,” Mr D’Amico said. “Their personal sacrifice allows Americans to enjoy the freedoms we have today. This Memorial Garden offered in their memory is but a small token of our gratitude and respect for the ultimate gift they gave.”

The memorial garden honors the tremendous efforts, hard work, and dedication of men and women who have served in all of the branches of the US military, he said.

Mr D’Amico said he envisions a “place with flowers and plants” to go in the ground in the spring. “We’ll have an unveiling on Memorial Day weekend,” he said. The garden would be open for public view and ceremonial remembrances at that time.

The Veterans Memorial Garden project is the concept of Mr D’Amico, who had a father-in-law in World War II. “His paver will be going up,” Mr D’Amico said.

To purchase a brick paver, visit www.newtownyouthacademy.org/veteran, print and fill out an order form or complete the order electronically.

The Newtown Youth Academy was founded on November 1, 2008 as a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3), community-centered organization dedicated to the health, fitness and general well-being of all Newtown-area residents. The NYA Sports and Fitness Complex is a multiuse indoor sports center in Fairfield Hills.