Warwick. Ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park commemorates ‘Ben’s Garden’
Warwick /
| 31 Aug 2021 | 02:24
Present at the ceremony were members of BSA Troop 45, county and local officials, American Legion Post 214, VFW Post 4662, Warwick Police Department and Warwick DPW. Photo by Ed Bailey.
Ben Valenti was a Village of Warwick resident, World War II veteran and a Purple Heart recipient. He passed away in April 2020, just shy of his 103rd birthday
On Friday, Aug. 27, the Warwick Valley VFW Post 4662 and the Warwick American Legion Post 214 held a ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park to commemorate “Ben’s Garden.”
The garden was created from donations received in 2020.
It contains 103 yellow flowering plants to honor Ben and all veterans who have served our nation.
Due to the efforts of Hugs for Courage, planting of the garden by Warwick’s Boy Scouts of America SA Troop 45, the assistance of the Village of Warwick DPW, and the generosity of all those who donated funds for this project, the Garden has become a reality.
In addition, thanks goes out to Tony Donato of FM Designs for contributing plaques which put the finishing touches on the Garden. The plaques read: “Ben’s Garden is a symbol of what makes our Country great. We must never forget the courage of the men and women in uniform serving today and those who have served in the past. We honor you all today and every day.”