The African American Veterans Monument to be located at the Buffalo & Erie County Naval and Military Park is the recipient of a $50,000 donation from Terry and Kim Pegula to aid in its construction. The donation adds to the Pegula family’s strong support of Western New York and Veteran Affairs.
“On behalf of the entire committee, we thank Terry and Kim Pegula for their support of this project,” said Warren Galloway, African American Veterans Monument Committee Chair. “Because of their support, we are one step closer to construction beginning this spring.”
“We are extremely appreciative of the sacrifices so many men and women have made for our country,” said Terry and Kim Pegula. “The Buffalo & Erie County Naval and Military Park honors these heroes in a very special way, and we are proud to help create a monument that will ensure Western New York’s African American Veterans are remembered for generations to come.”
“As we celebrate Veterans Day 2019, we are grateful to the Pegula family who recognize the importance of honoring the service of African American Veterans – a story that too often is untold,” said Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes. “This monument is paying tribute to those untold stories and those forgotten lives that fought for our nation since its inception.”
Announced on Veterans Day 2017, The African American Veterans Monument will recognize the contributions of African Americans who have served and are currently serving in all five branches of the military, during war and in peace times.
Construction of the Monument will begin in the spring of 2020 once the fundraising goal is met. The design of the African American Veterans Monument, created by Solid 716, boasts 12 black 10-foot concrete pillars that represent each of the country’s 12 military conflicts; African Americans have fought in each of the 12 conflicts.
Additional information on the African American Veterans Monument can be found at AAVMWNY.org or by calling 716-800-1137.