Town of Lyons board members hear resident disapproval of the location change of a historical veteran statue

LYONS N.Y.(WROC) – Leaders have moved a Veterans memorial statue from its spot in Central Park, across from the courthouse to a smaller park down the road.

Back in February, the Lyons town veteran’s memorial obelisk ​was removed from Central Park along with its foundation.

The statue has since been placed in Taylor Park, which has a rich history to the town.
The memorial now sits in the park with a makeshift base as leaders discuss its future.
Some residents at tonight’s meeting call the move disrespectful, adding Taylor Park has historically been underkept.

The town however says that’s part of the reason this move is necessary.

According to the town board this was in an effort to focus on placing a Civil War Memorial in Central Park as well as creating more parking space and additional improvements to Taylor Park because some members on the board believe Taylor Park is being underutilized.

Lyons resident and Vietnam Navy Veteran, David Dewolf, along with several others says this move happening without veterans’ consent is disrespectful.

“I’d like to see them rebuild the stands for the plaques and put the Obelisk back. They could put it on the opposite side of the stand but leave central park as a veteran’s memorial,” said Dewolf.

“We’re trying to do a positive here. We want to take a park that is under used by our community and make it something honorable and respectful that everyone can go view. Not that central park is disrespectful, we’re just trying to improve it,” said Councilman Dan DeWolf.

The board has agreed to continue this discussion and will hold a meeting to hear from more veterans on the matter.

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