The town’s American Legion Post 48 has obtained approval to place a “Tribute to Freedom” monument at the town marina and is seeking donations to help offset the cost. According to members, the monument will memorialize the efforts and sacrifices of military, first responders, government officials, and ordinary citizens who gave their lives on Sept. 11, 2001.

Senior Vice Commander and Finance Officer for Post 48 Fred Brisbois said the freedom monument expresses gratitude to those that came together after the 2001 terror attack on our country. This past September, the post commenced an effort to honor and tribute those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and to celebrate the “enduring legacy of freedom” they helped preserve, according to Brisbois.

“We actually started this on 9/11, [2021]. It was the lack of having any monument that triggered the concept,” Brisbois said. “Then from there, we proposed that if the town didn’t have a war on terror monument, then we should do it for the town. Bob Long and Ron Demartino, two other members from the post, got together and talked. We really didn’t want a monument to necessarily commemorate the war, but rather why we had this war and also making a point that the war on terror was not just in Afghanistan and Iraq. That is what turned this from a war on terror monument to a freedom monument.”

The post received approval from the Board of Selectman last month and the monument, which will be designed and created by Shelly Brothers Monuments in Guilford, will be placed near the harbor entrance where other memorial benches and plaques are already situated.

“We went to the Board of Selectman and they passed it unanimously,” Brisbois said. “We want to pay tribute and realize the and memorialize the efforts everybody made, the military, the government, the ordinary citizens who were involved, the first responders. And having it at the water, where most people are happy, is a great reminder that we are enjoying this freedom because the sacrifices that were made that day.”

Brisbois said anyone interested in donating can send funds directly to Post 48. Brisbois said the post is in need of funds and that any amount raised above the figure needed for the project will be donated to the Guilford Food Bank.

“So far we haven’t raised much, but we have signed the contract with Shelly Brothers and are looking forward to the installation and dedication,” Brisbois said.

The American Legion is expecting the current timeline, barring supply chain issues, should have the monument up and dedicated sometime in July.

Donations should be made payable to American Legion Post 48 and sent to: American Legion Post 48 c/o Fred Brisbois 223 Flat Meadow Road, Guilford, CT 06437.

For additional information, contact Brisbois at 203-605-7747, Bob Long at 401-601-0088, or Ron DeMartino at 203-214-6799.