The Erie-Niagara Sunrise Exchange Club and the Exchange Club of the Tonawandas recently donated a new sign in recognition of Gratwick Riverside Park, which was used to display more than 3,000 flags for the Healing Fields Memorial last year.
Organized by the Exchange clubs, the Healing Fields Memorial stood to honor the memory of those who lost their lives in 9/11 terrorist attacks.
North Tonawanda Mayor Arthur G. Pappas, along with city officials and members of the exchange clubs gathered for a formal dedication of a new sign on Wednesday, June 21.
"This was the perfect bookend to the entire Healing Fields Memorial that took place from ... 9/11, 2016," said Alderman-at-Large Robert Pecoraro, a member of the Erie-Niagara Sunrise Exchange Club. "The partnerships between the City of North Tonawanda and the City of Tonawanda and the two exchange clubs ... was exemplary in highlighting the way municipalities/organizations should work together for the common good."
Pappas said, "The new Gratwick Park sign is absolutely beautiful. I think they did a tremendous job in putting it together. The Healing Fields Memorial that stood here, not even a year ago, was an incredible sight to see and this sign will be a wonderful reminder of the tireless work of the volunteers and members of both the Erie-Niagara Sunrise Exchange Club and the Exchange Club of the Tonawandas. I can't thank all of them enough for what they did to honor those that lost their lives on that harrowing day 17 years ago and to give North Tonawanda the opportunity to host such an incredible display of national pride and unity."
Installed in the park in May, the sign is specifically located by the Witmer Road entrance. The sign was produced by Rosewood Signs of Tonawanda, at a cost of $3,000 with funds coming from proceeds raised through the Healing Fields Memorial.