A special park in Central New York is honoring soldiers dating all the way back to the Civil War.

Veterans Memorial Park in Rome now includes a memorial with engraved names of locals killed in action.

What You Need To Know

  • Veterans Memorial Park in Rome now includes a memorial with engraved names of locals killed in action, dating back to the Civil War

  • The park was rededicated on Memorial Day

  • As beautiful as the park is during the day, organizers said people should visit at night and see the monuments when they are lit up

It’s hard not to be humbled by Memorial Day ceremonies.

It’s also hard not to be humbled when visiting Veterans Memorial Park in Rome.

After years of planning and fundraising, a new archway, benches and lights welcome visitors to see the names of Romans who were killed in action from the Civil War to the War on Terror on new monuments.

“This was the challenge; the names, because we wanted to make sure that we had the right names on the monuments," said Michael Grogan, who served as a liaison with the rededication project. "So I don't know how many times we all had meetings and went through the names on the monuments just to make sure that we were correct."

Grogan and a team carried on the vision of Air Force Veteran Thomas Kenealy and helped make this rededication happen. Kenealy was able to attend the event.

“It's a reminder to everybody the sacrifices that are made so that we can live free," Grogan said. "We lose that today a lot. And we need to reflect."

Ann Cianfrocco said her uncle was killed in World War II. With his name listed, she said her family now has a place to pay tribute.

“It's an honor to see it," Cianfrocco said. "Unfortunately, when the ship was bombed, they never received a body. So to have somewhere where we can go and honor him. It's an honor and a privilege here. And I think we should remember the veterans that have passed that are here now and continue to serve every single day."

Marine veteran Thomas Arcuri said his uncle was also killed in World War II. He said his uncle’s name is also listed. Arcuri appreciates this honor for his uncle, and he also is grateful for the community support at the ceremony.

“It's encouraging," Arcuri said. "I'd like to see more participation by younger, younger children. I'd like to have their families bring them out here and teach them what it is to be a veteran. I mean, what it is to live in this country because of the sacrifice that they've made."

As beautiful as the park is during the day, organizers said people should visit at night and see the monuments when they are lit up.