SPRINGFIELD — Sometimes, all it takes is one person with a good idea.
Veteran Al Varelas had long thought about creating a memorial to members of the military that was inspiring — a living monument. “Memorial gardens are popular in the Midwest,” Varelas said. “When the monuments are all granite, it feels like a cemetery.”
This spring, he decided it was time. Using basic drafting skills, Varelas sketched out a design that featured garden beds, areas for peaceful reflection and a memorial. He designed the project to be “rustic” and fit with the look of his desired location, Forest Park.
“I’ve been working [on it] six or seven days a week” since mid-May, said Varelas. He went before the Park Commission to request permission for the project. The memorial garden was given the green light to be situated near the former Forest Park Monkey House.
According to Varelas’s plan, the memorial garden will be 20-feet-square, with walkways intersecting in a cross in the center. Entering from one end, visitors will be able to reflect while sitting on benches at either side of the garden. At the far end, across from the entrance, there will stand a 7-foot-long brick memorial, 38” high with a 48” high platform in the middle.
The memorial will include bronze plaques highlighting the six branches of the United States military — Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Space Force. An inscription will dedicate the garden to past, present and future members of the armed forces.
Workers broke ground on the site on Aug. 5, preparing for pavement and cement pads.
“I have everything donated that I need,” Varelas said. Among the companies he thanked for donating materials and labor are Chicopee Mason Supplies, Ondrick Natural Earth and Hastie Fence.
The one remaining cost is for the bronze plaques. “Bronze is expensive,” Varelas said. He explained that the original quote he received was $9,000, but the vendor reduced the charge to $5,000 — just $400 over cost. Of that, Varelas said he has secured $2,200.
Several companies and organizations donated money toward the project. The Chicopee Moose Family Center gave $1,000 and allowed him to set up a table at the weekly car show to collect donations for the project. The Springfield Thunderbirds also gave $500 for the project. New England American Poolplayers Association, Smith & Wesson and others also donated funding for the memorial garden. Raffle tickets are being sold by groups around the city, including the Moose Family Center, American Legions and or military organizations. The drawing is scheduled for Dec. 31.
Considering the prevalence of scams purporting to benefit veterans, Varelas said it was important to him that people felt they can trust that their donations will go toward the memorial garden. As such, Varelas registered with the city as a charitable entity and assigned the Parks Department as the beneficiary.
“It’s something that I’ve wanted to do for a long time,” Varelas said. “It’s something very personal to me.” The Purple Heart recipient noted that when Vietnam veterans came home from war, they were not well received by the American public. He said he is glad to see that that has changed.
Varelas plans to leave $10,000 in his will for the maintenance of the memorial garden, to continue seeing to his dream after he is gone.
