By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
HINSDALE — The new Hinsdale Vietnam Memorial will be unveiled Saturday in a dedication ceremony in the park in front of the Hinsdale Fire Department.
It is open to the public and all area Vietnam veterans.
The ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m., following a pancake and sausage breakfast at the Hinsdale Fire Department from 8-10 a.m. The breakfast is free while supplies last. Donations will be appreciated.
Sponsors suggest attendees bring a lawn chair to the dedication.
Speakers include Assemblyman Joseph Giglio and State Sen. George Borrello.
All Vietnam veterans will be honored including three Hinsdale boys who fought and died in Vietnam — Bernard Shattuck, Andy Crawford and Muchael Clute.
There will be a meet and greet for area Vietnam vets at the Hinsdale American Legion following the dedication ceremony.
The Hinsdale Museum will be open from noon to 2 p.m.
There are also 33 names of local veterans who served in Vietnam on the memorial being built by Wright’s Memorial of Bradford, Pa.
The memorial, which weighs in at just under 1.5 tons, was set up last week by a crew from Wright’s Memorials. It remains wrapped in plastic.
Hinsdale Historian Stephen Clute, who spearheaded the Vietnam Memorial, said more than $13,000 of the $15,000 cost was raised from donors.
Checks for donations should be made out to the Hinsdale Historical Society ℅ Joann Bishop, PO Box 95, Hinsdale, NY 14743.
