WOODBRIDGE AVE HONOR ROLL RESTORATION COMMITTEE

History:

In 1942, a group of neighborhood men and women dedicated a servicemen's flag to honor those who served in WWII. The flag displayed a star for each member serving in the armed forces from the neighborhood and two gold stars for Armando Visselli and Joseph Malloy, who were killed in action. The flag was first displayed at 59 Woodbridge Ave., across the street from the current Memorial.

In 1944 a permanent wooden Honor Roll was constructed at the corner of Woodbridge Avenue and Clark Street. A group of neighbors joined together to erect the new Honor Roll as a permanent structure to replace the servicemen's flag Honor Roll. 1944 also marked the first Memorial Day Ceremony that has been taking place on the Sunday before Memorial Day for 67 years.

In 1946 the Honor Roll was moved to its present site at the corner of Woodbridge Avenue and Visselli Court. Visselli Court is named in honor of Armando Visselli who was the first person from the neighborhood to be killed in WWII.

In 1958 the wooden Honor Roll was replaced by a stronger granite monument and was dedicated to those who served in WWII and the Korean Conflict. Again, dedicated neighborhood residents undertook this project.

In 2000 a new group of neighbors formed a new committee to renovate the monument and replace the wooden Honor Rolls with beautiful bronze versions. The new Memorial was rededicated in 2002.

The managing committee raises funds to support the ongoing maintenance of the monument itself and the immediately surrounding grounds. Funds also go toward event expenses directly related to our annual Memorial Day Ceremony. We are an all volunteer organization.