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Grieving Gold Star Mother Statue.

Grieving Gold Star Mother Statue

Field review by the editors.

Carmel, New York

Gold Star Mothers -- the moms of soldiers killed in war -- have been around as an organization since 1918. Gold Star Mother memorials -- stones with attached plaques -- have been around since the 1930s.

Vietnam vet Fred Waterman felt that wasn't enough. He had one of his platoon buddies, Andrew Chernak, design a statue, and in 2006 it was unveiled. The life-size bronze shows a World War II mother in shock, a single tear on her cheek. One hand braces herself against an unsteady flower stand, the little flower pot overturned. The other hand clutches a crumpled telegram.

The statue proved to be so popular that a duplicate was placed in Manchester, New Hampshire, and Chernak hopes to erect four more copies in the Midwest, Southwest, West Coast, and Washington, DC.

Grieving Gold Star Mother Statue

Putnam County Veteran Memorial Park

Address:
Gipsy Trail Rd, Carmel, NY
Directions:
From Hwy 52 in Carmel turn east onto Hwy 301/West St. Drive one mile, cross the causeway, then immediately turn right onto Hwy 41/Gipsy Trail Rd. Drive one mile, then bear left into Putnam County Veteran Memorial Park. Drive a quarter-mile, then turn right at the stop sign. You'll see the statue on the left.
Admission:
$5 parking fee.
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