Principle Design and Engineering of Norwich created a number of designs for the memorial project, with the Norwich VFW ultimately deciding on the memorial above. (Submitted photo)

NORWICH – The Norwich VFW has announced it's in the process of building a $97,000 memorial in front of Post 2782 in an effort to better commemorate the Chenango County veterans who have served overseas in a combat zone.

The memorial will include roughly 700 bluestone bricks, each designated to be dedicated to a veteran of Chenango County, an American flag as well as the flags of each of the military branches, a monument for Norwich High School graduate and Medal of Honor recipient Charles Conway Hartigan, and monuments commemorating the wars in which the United States has been involved.

VFW Post 2782 Commander Joe Santiago said the idea for the project came roughly a year and a half ago as the post was looking for new ways to keep veterans at the forefront in the community.

"At the end of the day, one of the main things that the VFW does is to make sure that the people don't forget our veterans," said Santiago. "At the end of the day, the worst thing that can happen is that society forgets about their veterans. And that's why we have to do this and be creative in today's society."

Funding dependent, Santiago said the hope is for the memorial to be completed by Veterans Day this November so that the post can hold a full dedication to the many local veterans who have fought in a foreign conflict.