Danbury Veterans Group Leads Fundraising For A New War Memorial

DANBURY, CT —A group of Danbury veterans is not going to let a quirky federal regulation prevent them from getting the recognition they are due.

Federal statutes prohibit the building of any war memorials at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. until 10 years after the conflict's end. That locks out any formal remembrance for Afghan/Iraq veterans in the nation's capital until 2032.

For Danbury Afghan/Iraq War veteran David Vieira, that was simply too late.

"We wanted to make sure that something is built in Connecticut now, not 10 years from now," Vieira said. "So we decided that we're going to take it upon ourselves to make sure it happens as soon as possible."

If the stars align and enough money is raised, that will be in about 10 months.

Vieira, who fought as a US Army sergeant in Afghanistan, is the chairman of The Afghanistan Iraq Veterans War Memorial Fund, a non-profit 501(c)(3) charity organization focused on raising money to build the tribute in time for an unveiling at Rogers Park in Danbury on Veterans Day.

How much does a war memorial cost? Working with one of the top firms in the country, the price tag is $250,000, Vieira said. The monument's design (see above) incorporates stone maps of Iraq and Afghanistan with gold stars representing a few of the main operating bases where U.S. veterans served. In between the maps will be a stylized representation of the Twin Towers, cast in steel.

"People have asked us why we're incorporating the towers," Vieira explained. "For anyone that I served with in Afghanistan, Iraq, the tragedy of 9-11 goes hand in hand with our time there. So we wanted to make sure that those lives lost were represented."

The group, made up of other like-minded veterans, started its grassroots fundraising efforts in May of last year. In November, those efforts yielded a partnership with Stony Creek Brewery and its own beer, Area of Operations lager. The Branford brewery donates a portion of the proceeds for every "AO" beer purchased to the War Memorial Fund.

A lot of the fundraising hopes are riding on the group's 1st Annual Afghanistan Iraq Veterans War Memorial Fund Heroes Gala, set for Apr. 22, at The Waterview in Monroe. Registration is online here. Veterans interested in being considered for the Connecticut Wartime Service Medal to be awarded at the event may email the group at afghaniraqmemorial@gmail.com. The veterans organization is also working on a golf tournament fundraiser for May.

When Vieira enlisted in 2007, he was continuing in the family business. One of his grandfathers was a Korean War veteran, and the other served in World War II.

"I grew up with some of their stories, and their sense of patriotism, and I guess it was always a part of me. So that when these wars were going on, I guess I felt the calling to do my part like they did." Vieira told Patch. "I think there's so much value in having a monument where I could go with my family and my daughter, and have that connection."