Many of the members of the classes of 64, 65 and 66 had fathers, mothers, aunts and uncles who served in World War II.   We also had many members of our classes serve in Vietnam.  Sadly we lost Rusty Engle, Doug Markovich and Ralph Piano in combat there.  As a tribute to all who served, the Reunion Committee has endorsed the “Veterans Paver Project” and encourages all members of the classes to consider purchasing pavers for “their Vet”.

If we have any funds left over from our three-class reunion, we will purchase three pavers; one each for Rusty, Doug and Ralph. As there is also a Memorial to those who lost their lives on 9/11, we will also purchase a paver for Peter West who lost his life in the North Tower that horrible day.

Please read about the program below as it was explained in a recent Madison Eagle article.

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For veterans who live in Madison, or formerly lived in Madison, their service to their country can be memorialized with an inscribed paver installed at Madison’s World War I Eagle Monument.

The pavers are part of a private fund-raising effort, “Walk with a Veteran,” aimed at replacing the deteriorating blacktop walkway at the World War I Eagle Monument and the 911 Memorial in “Condurso Park,” the section of James Park that is the prominent western gateway into Madison, at the juncture where Main Street divides into Madison Avenue and Park Avenue.

Inscribed pavers will honor veterans who live or have lived in Madison — present or past Madison residents, living or deceased, who served in the military. Pavers may be purchased individually for $75 and engraved with a veteran’s name and branch of service. 

Applications for inscribed pavers can be found on Madison’s community website, Rosenet.org, or picked up at the Madison Borough Clerk’s Office in the Hartley Dodge Memorial municipal building at 50 Kings Road. Completed applications should be submitted with a check for $75, payable to “Walk With Us.” Anyone with questions may call Borough Clerk Elizabeth Osborne at (973) 593-3041 or former Madison Mayor Jack Dunne at (973) 377-2057.