Monmouth County
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Press Release
William Heine
Department of Public Information
Phone: 732-431-7310
[email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 15, 2006
Monmouth County donates $25,000 toward construction
of state’s World War II memorial planned for Trenton
FREEHOLD – Recognizing the sacrifices made by World War II veterans, particularly those who lost
their lives to preserve freedom, the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders has donated $25,000 toward the fund-raising effort to build a memorial in New Jersey.
“We have a Vietnam Veterans memorial and a Korean War memorial, but New Jersey still does not recognize us veterans from World War II,” said Freeholder Theodore J. Narozanick, himself a World War II veteran
who presented the county’s check last Thursday to E. Larry St. Laurent, a Korean War veteran and a member of
the World War II Memorial Advisory Commission.
“I was extremely proud to wear the uniform representing the United States,” said Narozanick, a U.S.
Army captain who earned the Bronze Star for bravery, heroism and meritorious service for his role in the Normandy invasion and the Battle of the Bulge. “I am just as proud to be presenting this check to help build a
memorial to honor all of our brave World War II soldiers.”
New Jersey is home to nearly 600,000 veterans, nearly one-third of whom served in World War II. Several other states have more veterans, but few have a higher percentage who served in World War II. More than
2,500 World War II veterans were buried last year at the Brigadier Gen. William C. Doyle Cemetery, a veterans
cemetery in Arneytown, Burlington County.
New Jersey’s tribute to the veterans of World War II will be located on West State Street directly across
from the front entrance of the State House. Former resident Thomas Jay Warren, who lives in Oregon, was chosen to create Lady Victory, a 12-foot-high bronze statue that will be the focal point of the memorial. Sculptors
also will create a battlefield marker and bas relief depictions of the war’s history.
Warren statues are featured prominently in the Korean War Memorial in Atlantic City and the Vietnam
Veterans memorial in Holmdel, near the PNC Bank Arts Center.
The cost of the entire projects is $6 million. The state has appropriated $2 million for the project, and
Monmouth and Ocean counties have contributed $25,000 each. In addition, many individual donations of various levels have been received by the Commission.
“When it mattered most, an entire generation showed the world what it means to be Americans,” Narozanick said. “I look forward to the day when New Jersey’s World War II veterans will be able to visit this
memorial in Trenton and receive the thanks of this great state.”
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M o nm o uth Co u nty
News Release- Continued
Freeholder Theodore J. Narozanick presents the county’s check for the World War II Memorial in
Trenton, to E. Larry St. Laurent, a Korean War veteran and a member of the World War II Memorial
Advisory Commission.
The Place You Want to Be
www.visitmonmouth.com