September 22, 2019
Issue No. 38
www.westsidenewsny.com
SOUTH EDITION
Distributed
to
Churchville-Riga, North Chili, Spencerport-Ogden
Kendall War Memorial to be dedicated September 29 by Joanne Michielsen Kendall Boy Scout Troop 94, in harmony with the Town of Kendall, will be dedicating the Kendall War Memorial, a four-phase Eagle Project honoring the armed forces of the United States of America, on Sunday, September 29, 2 p.m., at the Kendall Community Park, Kendall Road (across from the Kendall Elementary School). The project is the joint effort of four Boy Scouts - Ryan Barrett, Jayden Pieniaszek, Noah Rath, and Brian Shaw. Each is working to become an Eagle Scout by leading a phase of the project. In August of 2018, Ryan and Jayden came to their scout troop with the idea for a memorial to honor the Kendall community’s veterans. Ryan said he wanted to build something he could be proud to bring his family to someday. The scouts sketched out plans, and things progressed quickly. Noah
and Brian also signed on to be a part of this monumental project. It is personal for them as all four scouts have family members who have served. Scout Master Ken Spohr said that the young men were met with skepticism when they first discussed their plans to build a 39-foot-long memorial wall. They presented the project to several groups including the Kendall Board of Education, Kendall Town Board, VFW groups, and even the New York State Assembly, to garner support. As the project started to take shape, and the community saw that they were serious, support for the project took off. “There has been a tremendous amount of community support,” Spohr said. The wall features granite plaques highlighting the American Revolution, the Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War, and the War on Terror. Alternating the granite plaques are concrete medallions representing five branches of
The memorial is a joint project for (l-r) Ryan Barrett, Noah Rath, Brian Shaw, and Jayden Pieniaszek. Provided photos.
the military. The centerpiece of the me- “There have been so many ways that morial is a black granite stone dedicated people have helped.” Brian coordinated the final phase, to Kendall residents who have served that previously stood in front of the Ken- adding the plaques to represent the dall Town Hall. Three flagpoles stand tall various wars in which Kendall soldiers behind the brick wall. The center pole served, grading and landscaping the site. Brigden Mefor the American morials has been flag is 35-feet, with a “super suptwo 30-foot poles porter,” Spohr for the New York said, providing State and Orleans the granite etchCounty flags standings. ing on either side. Black granite The memorial is reengraved bricks spectfully lit from border the medusk to dawn. morial sidewalk Ryan completed in honor of vetall of the site work erans - those curfor the beginning rently serving, phase of the projwho have served, ect. This consisted who have paid of digging out the the ultimate sacentire area for the rifice, or in apfoundation of the preciation of all memorial and movveterans. About ing the pre-existing 158 bricks have monument from been sold to date, the Town Hall to and bricks are serve as the cen- Wall construction began in mid-April. still available terpiece. He also placed the central flagpole. One of the for a $100 donation. An order form is challenges faced in this phase was that available on the Kendall War Memorial more topsoil needed to be removed than Facebook page. More information is also was initially anticipated. Mother Nature available by emailing KendallWarMealso caused some delays as the weather morial@gmail.com or calling 520-9360. turned cold quickly. Ryan worked through The project was designed allowing space those challenges and received his Eagle in for up to 1,800 bricks so that the memorial can grow for generations to come. a Court of Honor ceremony in August. Spohr said he has two goals for all Jayden led the second phase, constructing the brick wall and placing the pole for Eagle projects - that the scouts learn to the county flag. Miller Brick donated all be leaders and that they learn respect of the brick for the project, but the cold, for others. “As an Army Veteran and wet spring slowed progress. The Kendall Scout Master, it has given me great Lions offered their assistance, bringing pride to be associated with these scouts tents to cover the site so construction and their project. Older generations often say the younger generation doesn’t could continue despite the rain. Noah was responsible for the third know respect for their elders or their phase, which included the five military country, but I have four scouts that medallions, placing the pole for the state prove that wrong. Their commitment to flag, and setting up electricity at the site designing an astonishing memorial for for lighting. A town worker driving by their community, while showing respect the site on his way home stopped to help and honor for veterans has been a great with setting up the electric. Spohr said, thing to watch.”
More photos online at westsidenewsny.com.