WALLKILL TOWN Residents of the Town of Wallkill proposed erecting a monument in memory of those who served in the Vietnam War, which cost the lives of over 58,000 Americans, more than 30 years ago.
The Town of Wallkill Veterans Memorial Park (across the street from Maddy’s Diner in Wallkill) will host a ceremony on April 30 at 5:30 p.m. to mark the completion of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall construction, which started in 2003.
The vice president of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall Committee, Town of Wallkill Councilman Mark Coyne, expressed his excitement about the event and added, “We want veterans in the Town of Wallkill and Orange County to know that we love and support them.” I’m proud of the wall, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it outside of Washington, D.C.
Mike Cody Jr., a decorated Vietnam veteran who received multiple humanitarian medals, a Purple Heart, Bronze and Silver stars, and other honors for his service, was the driving force behind the Town of Wallkill’s Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. For almost thirty years, Cody has been a champion for its completion. The monument’s completion was aided by fundraising initiatives and a $175,000 grant from State Senator James Skoufis.
Coyne declared, “Mike is a great man and a war hero.” I’m simply glad we all got to meet him and that he decided to make the Town of Wallkill his home. It has been a privilege collaborating with Mike.
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