Effort to enlarge Belgrade veterans monument underway, time capsule to be opened

PHOTO: An effort is underway to raise the money to enlarge the Belgrade veterans memorial, in Belgrade Lakes village, so that the town’s veterans who served after 1972 can be added. (Maureen Milliken photo)

BELGRADE — The Belgrade veterans memorial will be expanded so that names of the town’s veterans who served after 1972 may be added, and the town will also open a time capsule on the back of the monument, which is on Main Street in Belgrade Lakes village.

The time capsule has been sealed since the wall for the memorial was built in 1987. It has instructions to open it in 2000, but it wasn’t. Plans are to open it right after the May 31 Memorial Day celebration, which will be at 10 a.m. at Pine Grove Cemetery. The opening will be on the Village Green in Belgrade Lakes.
After the time capsule is opened, it will be restocked with items from 2021 for a future opening. Those with ideas of what to put in it can email belgradevets@gmail.com or just let the staff in the town office know.
The monument is on land donated by Adams-Cobb-Stevens American Legion Post, which used to be in the building adjacent to the memorial on the corner of School and Main streets. Plans are to add two wings to hold two more plaques, which should be enough to hold the names of post-1972 veterans and provide room for future inclusion. The plan also includes adding ground lights to replace the small lights on top of the memorial wall. Plans also include adding a bench in the front of the monument as well as landscaping. 
Cost is estimated to be $11,000. The first $6,000 would pay for expanding the monument, with about $4000 going toward the plaques and $1,000 for the landscaping and bench.
A small group of residents is working on the project, and they hope a few more volunteers, including some veterans, will join them to help raise money and oversee the work. To pledge a donation, volunteer or find out more, email belgradevets@gmail.com.