Patriots & Heroes Park

Earlier in August was the annual family reunions.
Andrew was with us, and asked to stop at this park to see what it was
all about.  When Ron and Andrew were in the Buffalo area earlier this year, Andy
had seen it, but they did not take the time to stop.
We had time, so why not.

Russell Salvatore, is a local philanthropist.  He had purchased the acreage to
build a shopping plaza,but while in a deep sleep, changed his mind.
It has become a park "for the community to enjoy. It's there for those who wish to reflect
upon their lives and the lives of their loved ones who so valiantly
served our Nation."
Flight 3407 Memorial-February 12, 2009 is dedicated to a commuter plane that
was to land at Buffalo Niagara International Airport.
It was found that ice had built up on the windshield and wings.
It crashed into a home in Clarence Center, New York.
This memorial to honor those that perished that day.
"The Destiny of Man is to unite, not to divide. In great tragedy the true spirit of of our
wonderful country makes us whole." -Russell Salvatore

America, The Land That We Love
Artist Don Parrino, was inspired by the history depicted on postage stamps.
Intrigued by how the posted office selects its images he created this memorial.
The memorial represents, the Statue of Liberty, The New York Harbor, Niagara Falls,
Our Nations Capital building, the Washington Monument and the Golden Gate Bridge.

"In 2009, a local civic organization named Mr. Salvatore "Citizen of the Year', and presented him
with a statuette of Saint Michael the Archangel, patron Saint of Law Enforcement and our Nation's
security. Russell, a U.S. veteran who supports veteran causes know that Michael champions
the primacy of God and defends God's people from their enemies.
Michael the Archangel is and has been Mr. Salvatore's beacon."

Purple Heart Memorial

Gold Star Memorial

How we were seeing the American Flag that day.
I can truly say we were all experiencing goosebumps,
at how powerful all the the monuments expressed there meanings. 

September 11, 2011 Memorial
With the efforts of Sculptor, Don Parrino worked endlessly to create
Mr. Salvatore's, beloved memorial.
"The four attacks of 9-11 were coordinated and launched by the Islamic
terrorist group, al-Qaeda upon the United States in New York City and the
Washington D.C. metropolitan area on Tuesday, September ll, 2001.  The
attacks killed thousands of people and caused at lease $10 billion in property
and infrastructure damage."
"Four passenger airlines were hijacked by 19 al-Qaeda terrorists and were
flown into buildings in suicide attacks.  Two of those planes, American Airlines Flight
11 and United Airlines Flight 175 were crashed into the North and South Towers.
respectively, of the World Trade Center complex in New York City.
Within two hours both towers collapsed with debris and the result in fires
causing partial or complete collapse of all the buildings in the WTC complex, as well
as significant damage to ten other large surrounding structures.
A third pland, American Airlines Flight 77 was crashed into the Pentagon
leading to a partial collapse in its western side.  The fourth plane, United
Airlines Flight 93, targeted for Washington, D.C. crashed into a Pennsylvania
field after its passengers tried to overcome the hijackers."
"Almost 3,000 people died in the attacks including the 227 Civilians and 19 hijackers
aboard the four planes. It also was the deadliest incident for firefighters and
law enforcement officers in the history of the United States, with 343 and
72 killed respectively."

A closeup of one of the statues in the 9-11 Memorial

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
This is a replica of the famous tomb in Arlington National Cemetery.
It represents the ultimate sacrifice in WWII.
 

Later that evening, I was able to take this picture of the flag at night.
The park has lighting on all the monuments, as well as music.

The park is quite large and open to everyone 24-7.
There is a sculpture representing the "Battle of the Bulge", as well.
While we were visiting the park, we met a lady whose Father had served
in that battle.

Before we left the area, we saw these vans lined up in the park.
We asked some persons that were standing by.
Mr. Salvatore was presenting the VA hospital 10 much needed vans for veterans
use to and from appointments. The former vans were described at a total disgrace.
The previous vans. models from 2003 through 2011 had logged more then
150,000 miles.  Mr. Salvatore donated the $300,000 for the purchase of the vans.
The ceremony to present the vans to the VA hospital was at noon, August 7.

Here is Mr. Salvatore and my husband.  My husband had received an article
about his Father, who served in WWII.  He was sharing the story with Mr. Salvatore.
My husband is not one to do anything so public.  This picture has appeared on Facebook.

All of my quotes in the post  is from a booklet that is available at the park,
Russell J. Salvatore's  Patriots and Heroes Park.
It was amazing to have visited the park, and to have the opportunity to meet Mr. Salvatore.

I hope you have a
Proud to be an American kind of day.

Mary