Coaldale to Honor Gold Star Mothers and All Women by Constructing a Women’s Memorial Garden

Coaldale will honor all women with a “Women’s Memorial Garden.” This new garden will be a part of the Coaldale Veterans Memorial, located at Third and Phillips Streets, in Coaldale, PA.

The Women’s Memorial Garden will consist of the following: (1) an eight by twelve foot mural depicting two military nurses attending a severely wounded soldier. This mural depicts the statue found at the National Vietnam Women’s Memorial in Washington, DC. The mural is being painted by Coaldale’s own Susan Frendak, who did our mural depicting the raising of the American flag atop Mount Surabachi on Iwo Jima during WW II;

(2) A bronze plaque designed by noted military sculptor Andrew Chernak, honoring our Gold Star Mothers; (3) A wishing well, which will honor ALL women; not only those who served or are serving in the military, but those who loved and waited, and those who provided critical support to our military. The wishing well will contain eight black granite images depicting significant contributions of women to the success of and greatness of our country. The roof will contain twelve black granite emblems depicting women’s organizations, as well as the military services; (4) a sidewalk with inscribed memorial and honor bricks. This sidewalk, leading to the Wishing Well, will contain names of those women that family members in the region may wish to memorialize or honor. Also included in this walk will be a section entitled “Gold Star Mothers Walk of Honor.” This section will contain the names of 54 Gold Star Mothers from Coaldale who lost precious sons in the military, The Women’s Memorial Garden will contain lighting standards and benches to permit visitors to relax, reminisce, and pay homage to their loved ones.

The inscribed brick program is now underway. You may wish to honor or memorialize a family member or a friend. The inscribed bricks will be placed in the sidewalk leading to the wishing well, or surrounding the well. Your choice of one being honored does not have to be from Coaldale, or does not have to be a veteran. We wish to honor all women, and we will accept requests for inscribed bricks from all persons wishing to honor a loved one. Please contact Mildred Flyzik at 570-645-9605, or e-mail: Millie Flyzik.com or Or Linda Miller, at 570-645-6162

The Coaldale Veterans Memorial Committee expects to have the Women’s Memorial Garden completed in time for its dedication during Memorial Day services in May of 2009. Those wishing to assist in defraying the cost of the Women’s Memorial Garden may remit checks to: WW II Memorial Committee, c/o Coaldale Borough, Coaldale Borough Hall, and Box 116, Coaldale, PA 18218.