The Greenwood community broke ground Monday on a memorial that will be central to downtown revitalization efforts that are underway.
Veterans, police officers and firefighters, city leaders and residents gathered at the corner of Old Meridian Street and the new Surina Way to share stories, as well as designs and plans for the memorial, and recognize Greenwood’s current and fallen heroes.
One of those heroes was part of the inspiration behind the memorial. He spent the years leading up to his death pursuing the plans, before handing over the project to Paul St. Pierre, president of several area funeral homes and chairman of the Greater Greenwood Veterans Memorial Committee. Now, it is coming to life.
Paul Totten, a decorated World War II veteran and lifelong Greenwood resident, died Jan. 25, 2018, four years after the city broke ground on a similar memorial, but in another, less visible location. The project stalled, and he never got to see the fruits of his labor, which made St. Pierre all the more determined to get it done, he said.
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"Paul lived in Greenwood his entire life with exception of his time in World War II," St. Pierre said. "He died peacefully knowing I was going to carry this torch forward."
Totten was one of Indiana’s most decorated World War II veterans. He received seven medals, including two Bronze Star medals and the coveted combat Infantryman’s Badge. He received a Testimonial Award from the Republic of the Philippines in 1968 in Malacanan Palace, presented by the First Lady. He also received the Philippine Liberation Medal from the Republic of the Philippines in 1982 presented by the Commanding General of their Army. A park in Northern Luzon, Philippine Islands, was named after him due to his leadership during that conflict.
Other committee members who worked hard on this project include city council member Linda Gibson and Loren Minnix, founder and president of the local nonprofit Warrior’s Hope, St. Pierre said.
The memorial will provide a place for the community to witness the scope and depth of the city’s gratitude to its veterans and first responders throughout the Greenwood area, he said.
"It’s not only for our veterans. It’s also for our police officers, our firemen and our EMTs who have given of their lives unselfishly to serve our community," Mayor Mark Myers said.
"We want to remember those people who were here over the years and who are here now. Help us as we help others who have helped this community."
Plans call for several memorials to be placed near a large, central memorial, a 16-foot-tall granite pillar with an eagle at the top. That centerpiece will be flanked by six 6-foot-tall tablets featuring each branch of service. The hope is that each piece will be paid for by a donor, whose name will be displayed on the monument. Donors can also buy benches and memorial bricks.
"The veterans in our community were honored to have a dedicated space at Freedom Park, but it was never their No. 1 choice. They always wanted to be in the center of downtown," St. Pierre said. "With the changes that are being made right now, we couldn’t think of a more fitting place than right in the middle of downtown Greenwood."
North of the planned memorial, the re-imagined Old City Park will feature a cube tower, a 20-foot climbing structure for kids, a promenade that will run alongside Pleasant Creek downtown, a rock climbing wall, a pedestrian bridge, urban porch swings and a bocce ball court.
South of the memorial, demolition of the former Greenwood Middle School is underway.
The city’s parks and recreation department will also decide how the school’s gymnasium will be developed. They are working with an architecture and design firm to come up with plans for the space, which will likely be similar to the city’s community center, but will offer different activities.
Further private development is planned for the rest of the former middle school property, which could include more than 450 apartments, 130 townhouses, 75,000 square feet of retail and office space and nearly 10 acres of new or upgraded open space, according to Mayor Mark Myers’ vision for the property.
"The city has an unbelievable plan. This will all just tie in," St. Pierre said.
The memorial is expected to cost about $200,000, 80 percent less than the original estimate, because of St. Pierre’s connections, he said. As a funeral director, he has access to granite and other types of materials needed for the memorial and receives discounted pricing. If the committee can get all major pieces for the project purchased by donors by the end of August, they will likely conduct a ribbon cutting ceremony during the Freedom Festival in 2020, he said.
But the committee paid for one piece itself.
"The most beautiful part of the veterans committee, in my opinion, has been efforts over the years to raise funds for a special centerpiece — that bronze eagle," said St. Pierre, pointing toward the large bald eagle statue that was on display during the event.
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Here is a look at how you can become a sponsor or donate to the Greater Greenwood Veterans Memorial, or serve as a volunteer on the committee:
16-foot-tall centerpiece monument; donor’s name will be prominently featured; $50,000.
Smaller, 6-foot-tall branch monuments; donor’s name and company logo will be featured; $15,000.
Personalized memorial benches; can include names and photos of veterans; $3,500.
Donor bricks; will line the main area of the memorial; $125-$150 before Aug. 1; $150-$175 after Aug. 1.
You can mail checks and completed volunteer forms to the following addresses:
Paul St. Pierre, 704 S. State Road 135, Box 307, Greenwood, IN 46143; or Wilson St. Pierre Funeral Service, Greenwood Chapel, 481 W. Main Street, Greenwood, IN 46142.
For more information, or to request a form, email [email protected] or call 317-418-9001.
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