Fundraising starts for aging memorial statue
BY KATHY CHANG
Staff Writer

KATHY CHANG Frank LaPenta, chairman for the Woodbridge Township Historical Association and Tara Dubay, historical association committee member, are hoping to raise up to $50,000 to restore the Soldiers and Sailors Monument at the intersection of Main and Berry streets.

WOODBRIDGE - The last time the Soldiers and Sailors Monument was restored was when the citizens of the township erected it in 1911.

"It's been more than 90 years," said Frank LaPenta, chairman of the Woodbridge Township Historical Association Monument Committee. "It's important to restore it because of what it represents. It has stood exposed to all kinds of pollution and weather that has taken a toll."

The monument stands on an island in the middle of the road at the intersection of Main and Berry streets. The island is supported and surrounded by a concrete-retaining wall.

"The retaining wall was crumbling and it needed major repairs," said LaPenta. "In 2005, the late Mayor Frank G. Pelzman helped us replace the wall."

Back in 1911, the citizens of Woodbridge raised enough money to build the memorial by holding tag sales, bake sales, bazaars and soliciting donations.

The monument was completed and formally dedicated in 1916 with a celebration.

"The reason for the delay was the beginning of World War I," said LaPenta. "The monument represents the servicemen and women who made sacrifices in the time of war and also those who have been left behind. The last war commemorated on the monument was placed there 75 years ago when the date of the first World War was added."

Some historical accounts say the members of the Kingwood Athletic Association initiated the movement to construct the monument in 1904. Other accounts pinpoint Lt. William C. Berry, who died in Williamsburg, Va., in 1862. Another account names John M. Sutton. Sutton was reported to have been a member of the Company H, 5th New Jersey Volunteers during the Civil War.

"His responsibility was to save the regimental colors during the battles of Chancellorville and Gettysburg," said Frank's son Bruce LaPenta. "The saving of the colors is said to be illustrated by the Civil War soldier reaching for his saber and clutching the flag. The face on the monument is thought to be that of Mr. Sutton."

The historical association has a wish list of items for the monument.

"First, we would like to clean the statue," said LaPenta. "It depends on how much money we raise, but we have bids out to different cleaning companies to clean the statue. The bids range from $15,000 to $34,000."

The association would also like to reinstall the flag pole that was removed; replace the grass with pavers because the grass has been hard to maintain and water; install rubber bumpers along the retaining wall where it sometimes gets scraped by vehicles; mount reflectors on the wall for safety; add flower planters to beautify the area; and add small stones at the base of the monument with the dates of all the U.S. conflicts, LaPenta said.

The dates on the monument are from the Revolutionary War to World War I. The historical association would like to add World War II and all wars since.

"Our goal is to raise $50,000," he said. "We have so far raised $9,000. The money is held in a special fund until we raise enough to begin the project."

The Rotary Club of Woodbridge and Perth Amboy are hosting a spaghetti dinner from 6-9 p.m. on Oct. 6. All proceeds go to refurbishing the Woodbridge War Veterans Memorial and rotary projects.

The dinner will be held at The Cameo on Rahway Avenue across from the Woodbridge Car Wash. Donations are $10 for adults and $7.50 for children 15 and under. For ticket information, call Scott at (908) 715-1555.

People wishing to donate to the monument fund can contact or send donations to Frank LaPenta, 6 Baker St., Iselin, NJ 08830, or call Frank at (732) 634-2832.