That tarp, or tent-like structure, that can be seen from Main Street on property near the City of Bridgeport’s parking lot across from All Saints Catholic Church isn’t part of a picnic that’s taking place or one that’s about to take place. Rather, the covering’s purpose is much nobler.

 

Until Mother Nature decides to cooperate on a more permanent basis, the covering will be used to help contractors and the materials they’re using be protected from the continual rain that has pelted the area. And the particular are where the contractors are working is where the Bridgeport Veteran’s Memorial will soon be unveiled.

 

Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Director Don Burton said the covering has proven to be necessary as inclement weather has been consistent for the past two weeks. The covering will allow the planned completion of the project to be done ahead of the official dedication of the Memorial.

 

“The weather has hampered us quite a bit. Actually, the weather has slowed us to a crawl at times and the tent is there to allow the contractor (from Buckhannon) to avoid the element and install the stone work that’s being done in the type of dry environment that’s necessary to complete the work,” said Burton.

 

Burton said everything is still looking good for the official dedication of the Memorial. Mayor Robert “Bob” Greer announced at the April 25 Bridgeport City Council meeting that the dedication will take place Thursday, May 26, which is prior to the May 30 Memorial Day holiday.

 

“Right now, they’re installing stone for the bench area and the walls the will be a significant part of the Memorial,” Burton said. “This is a very detail-oriented part of the project. We hope to have the stone work done in the very near future.”

 

Already, the biggest part of the project is complete. Five 8,500 pound granite pillars were lowered by a massive crane on April 27 that complete the focal point of the Memorial.

 

The pillars represent five branches of the military – Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard. There is an inscription that reads “All Gave Some; Some Gave All.” The pillars have been covered up since they were mounted in place and will remain covered up until the dedication ceremony,

 

Assistant City Manager Jimmy Smith said the ceremony will take place between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. that day. He will announce the exact time at a later date.