2 grants boost plans for Westmoreland County War on Terror memorial plaza

Two grants totaling $285,000 brought a local nonprofit closer to developing the Westmoreland County War on Terror Healing Garden and Memorial Plaza at Twin Lakes Park.

Westmoreland County Veterans of the War on Terror Inc. announced Monday it received a $10,000 Green Gift to Celebrate Earth Day grant from Noble Environmental and a $275,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Marketing to Attract Tourists Program.

After announcing plans for the plaza early in 2019, and citing an estimated budget of about $350,000, organizers originally proposed to dedicate the site on Sept. 11 of this year. That was before the covid-19 pandemic presented added challenges for fundraising efforts.

Now, if all goes well, the group hopes the plaza will be ready to debut on Sept. 11, 2022, along Georges Station Road in Hempfield.

War on Terror founder and President Dorey Stabile McCarron of North Huntingdon is excited by the grant approvals.

“Our plan is to be able to work with other organizations on fundraising and awareness,” she said.

She noted the group wants “to inspire and educate the community about the sacrifices of those who have answered the call to serve and defend our country in the War on Terror,” while “giving back to the community, performing community service, and bringing awareness to our efforts.”

The preliminary design of the plaza and garden, as envisioned by the group and landscape architect Laura Patterson of Exquisite Design Studio, includes benches and perennial plantings that will bloom in colors representing the armed services branches. The four corners of the site will include: a Global War on Terror monument honoring all those who are serving or have served in the longest U.S. military conflict; a first responders monument; a pre-9/11 monument for all those who served since the Vietnam War and up until the 9/11 terrorist attacks; and a Westmoreland County Fallen Heroes Memorial.

The latter memorial, McCarron said, is meant to recognize all those service members who made the ultimate sacrifice during the War on Terror and who also have a Westmoreland connection — including those who were born in, lived in or attended school in the county; those who served in a county-based military unit; and those who are buried in the county.

Organizers identified 18 people to be listed on the Fallen Heroes Memorial, and McCarron noted others may come to light. “No one should forget any of our fallen,” she said.

In addition to offering a setting for reflection, McCarron expressed hope that the plaza will serve as a gathering place for everything from ceremonies to picnics. “We don’t want it to be something that people just drive by,” she said.

McCarron credited state Sen. Kim Ward with helping to land the state grant. Among local organizations that raised money for the plaza are the Air Force Junior ROTC programs at Norwin, Plum and Pine-Richland school districts.

Fundraising is continuing, with plans for a June 26 Super Bingo event in Jeannette and a Sept. 11 golf outing at Seven Springs Mountain Resort, and sales of apparel featuring the War on Terror logo at wcvwot.org, the memorial plaza website.