Plaques Honoring WWI Vets Could be Replaced, Moved

If you were walking through the grounds you might not notice about a dozen ash trees, but they hold particular significance in the village.

"In 1931 there were 14 individual plaques inscribed with the names of Ridgewood residents who died in WWI," American Legion Commander Bob Paoli told the village council on Wednesday night.

"Those 14 plaques were planted at the bottom of 13 ash trees at Graydon Pool. Since then it's been 80 years now and many of the plaques have disappeared," Paoli said.

One remains in an ash tree, he reported. Because the plaques are broken, Paoli said the Legion is looking to replace the 13 plaques with the original names to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the plaques being placed in the ash trees. The one remaining plaque may remain in its current Graydon location.

Paoli said the Legion will be coupling the Veterans Day and Memorial Day ceremonies into one celebration on Veterans Day, where it hopes to unveil the new memorial though it may not be at Graydon Pool as the Legion had originally intended.

In addition to replacing the plaques, Paoli had suggested a rock face the 14 trees will with another plaque inscribed, which would also contain the names of the 14 soldiers. Paoli suggested the rock would be at the corner of Linwood and Maple, near the sign that says "Graydon Park" with bushes around it, as well as a bench nearby for people to "sit down and reflect".

However, Councilman Paul Aronsohn, who called the prospective project "great" and one he said the council is "supportive of", remarked that he was concerned that "relatively few" Ridgewood residents would have access to the walkway, which is behind the gate on Linwood at the members-only village landmark.

"We want to make sure all residents have access to it," Aronsohn said.

Paoli responded that he's open to the idea of another section of the park, one with more "pedestrian traffic".

Deputy Mayor Tom Riche suggested plans to move the project across the street to where the flagpole is (geographically, on the northwest side of the Village Hall/Veterans Park parcel), which contains a walkway and is accessible to all residents.

Paoli was receptive to the idea and said the Memorial Day ceremony could be held at as opposed to Graydon.

There will be a meeting on Saturday, Mayor Keith Killion said that will aim to more closely consider the revised plan to plant the trees and plaques by the flagpole.