Wayne County approves women veterans monument site
A monument honoring local women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces has been announced for Wayne County.
Wayne County Commissioners recently approved a site next to the Dimmick Building in Honesdale for a grass-roots citizen's project, which is still in development.
Kim Erickson of Cherry Ridge Township, who is active in volunteer activities and spearheaded the recent Hometown Heroes banner project in Honesdale, approached the county with this latest project at a recent commissioners' workshop.
Mary Lou Murray updated the commissioners on the plans. As currently envisioned, the monument will consist of a steel figure of a woman veteran coated in brass. A medallion for each branch of military service will be mounted on the bottom.
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According to Murray, a final design has not been settled. Originally, Erickson proposed superimposing the figure on a steel sculpture of a tree with spreading branches, six to eight feet tall. Murray said there was concern, however, with safety should children try climbing on the tree.
Donations are being collected to pay for the monument, Erickson said. The full cost hasn’t been determined and the funds need to be raised before construction starts.
The commissioners approved locating the monument to the right of the 9/11 memorial and over towards the side of the Dimmick Building next to the courthouse. This is at the corner where 9th and Court streets meet.
The Dimmick Building originally served as the county hospital, and many women who served in the Armed Forces in earlier years were nurses — thus the location choice for the monument, Commissioner Chairman Brian Smith said.
"There has never been to our knowledge in Wayne County a memorial honoring female veterans," Smith said after speaking with the county's director of Veterans' Affairs. "Female veterans have been a big part of fighting for our freedom and being engaged in active warfare ever since the 2nd World War, a lot of them were nurses in the 1st World War."
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It is meant to recognize both women who previously served or are currently serving. The monument is to be secured in cement and flowers can be plated near it, Erickson said.
The hope is to have the monument completed by June 12, 2023, which is "Women Veterans Day."
Explaining her passion, Erickson said that she loves a challenge to see if she can do it. She considered joining the military when in high school but didn't follow through, and she respects those who did make that commitment to their country.
The monument, she added, can help educate the youth that women can serve just as well as men. It can also remind them, she said, that some people give up four years of their life in the service so they we can have freedom.
As part of the project, Erickson is asking the public to share military stories and photos of women, living or deceased, veterans or active duty, who served in the military. They may have connections to Wayne County, but Erickson said she wasn't limiting the entries. She said someone from here may want to include a relative from outside the area who served.
These stories and photos will be put into a booklet to further honor them, which will be made available. Stories and photos need to be submitted no later than April 30, 2023 and emailed to Kimeric1967@yahoo.com, or call 570-251-7741 with any questions.
Donations for the Women Veterans Monument can be made through the Wayne County Community Foundation, applying your donation to "Honoring Our Heroes", by going to bit.ly/3HUcvt1. For more information about Women Veterans Day, visit: bit.ly/3RuFkPX.
This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Northern Poconos to get women veterans monument
