Local Continues Fundraising Efforts to Honor Fallen Military

Lifelong Port Chester resident Richard Cuddy remains dedicated to a commendable cause close to his heart and important to many military families across the country – honoring those who have died in service.

About 100 plaques were installed around the park to memorialize each of the local residents who passed away in Vietnam, Korea and World War II. Over the years plaques have been stolen or damaged so all have been removed for the time being. Cuddy’s father, Maj. Willaim V. Cuddy, a provost marshal for the Army Air Corps who died in a plane crash in Africa during World War II, was among those memorialized in Lyon Park. 

Cuddy started a fundraising campaign and working with the Port Chester Parks Commission to replace missing memorial plaques and refurbish remaining plaques in Lyon Park last year. He and the Village are still raising funds for the project and  asking the public for help.

Cuddy wants to bring all the plaques back and have them placed together in a location between the Bush-Lyon Homestead and the Vietnam Memorial in Lyon Park. They will be imbedded in blocks of concrete and bolted in place.

Memorial Bricks, pavers, cost $100 and are not limited to fallen soldiers, but can be for anyone the donor wants to remember and honor. They will be placed around the plaques and can be personalized. To purchase the bricks fill out the attached application or visit www.portchesterny.com.

Read more on the personal story behind Cuddy’s project here:

http://portchester.patch.com/groups/volunteering/p/down-to-the-brass-plaques-c03bc209