Honesdale debuts new women’s military monument

HONESDALE, WAYNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— With Memorial Day just around the corner, many events are planned to commemorate those who have sacrificed their lives for our country.

28/22 News Reporter Sydney Kostus visited Wayne County Thursday morning and learned how they’re permanently honoring women in the military.

A new monument stands big and tall at the corner of 9th and Court Street in Honesdale Thursday morning. Block letters stating “Salute to Military Women” catch the eyes of many in the community.

“Well, it’s about time they honored the women, you know? I mean, they honored us, you know, but the women were there too, fighting the wars,” said Carl Magnussen, a United States Navy veteran.

Veterans like Carl Magnussen and Robert Hickey say they’re glad to see the recognition for servicewomen.

“Getting to see this is just amazing because this is a community that is really what America’s all about,” said Robert Hickey, a United States Army veteran.

The massive monument displays women soldiers in battle, along with information about their roles in service.

“To think that we were out here just for a few minutes and people already noticed that we have a new addition to town, they wanted to come and celebrate with us, so that was a really beautiful thing,” said Derek Williams, Mayor of Honesdale.

The woman behind the project is Kim Erickson. She says it’s been two years in the making.

“Somebody approached me and said, ‘Did you ever realize that there’s usually only men on military monuments?’ And I never took notice so then I said, ‘I can fix that problem,'” Erickson added.

Installing the monument and laying down the sidewalk has been underway for about a month. Now complete, it will be officially unveiled this weekend, where women veterans like Margaret Allen’s mother will be recognized.

“She was in the Marines during the Korean War and she was a mechanical draftsman,” Allen explained.

The unveiling will be part of a dedication ceremony beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday.

“You just need that one person that it affects and you’re like, ‘I did a good thing,'” Erickson told 28/22 News.

Erickson says the monument was funded by donations from the community.

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