A Veteran’s Memorial for Veteran’s Day

This Veterans Day, ArchitectureEL is reflecting on a project that has been years in the making and one that holds special meaning for our community: the East Longmeadow Veterans Memorial.

ArchitectureEL has been proud to work alongside the East Longmeadow Veterans Memorial Committee to help bring its vision for a permanent place of remembrance to life. The memorial is planned for the lawn in front of the Pleasant View Senior Center on North Main Street and is designed to honor all who have served, with a special dedication to the 21 East Longmeadow servicemen who gave their lives in service to our country.

The ArchitectureEL-designed memorial takes the shape of a star, creating a meaningful pathway through our nation’s military history. Black granite monuments will recognize conflicts from World War I through Iraq and Afghanistan, with the names of East Longmeadow’s fallen veterans displayed in gold lettering. Nine flags will fly at the memorial, and medallions will represent the branches of the United States military. A neighboring reflection area is designed to include landscaping, benches and a battle cross monument, creating a quiet place for visitors to remember, reflect and honor those who served.

For ArchitectureEL, this project demonstrates the role architecture can play beyond creating buildings. Thoughtful design can preserve history, tell stories and create spaces that remain meaningful to a community for generations.

The journey to construction has been a long one. The Veterans Memorial Committee has spent years pursuing grants, securing donations, organizing fundraisers and building community support for the project. Rising construction costs and the lasting impact of the pandemic have created challenges along the way, but the committee has continued moving the project forward.

And in 2026, that effort received another significant boost. In June, the East Longmeadow Town Council unanimously approved matching up to $100,000 in donations to help close the project’s remaining funding gap. At that time, approximately $643,000 had been raised toward an estimated $830,000 total project cost. Committee Chair Terry Glusko also recognized ArchitectureEL’s Kevin Rothschild and general contractor W.J. Quinn for their continued work to help control project costs as the fundraising effort continues. The deadline for donations to qualify for the matching funds has since been extended to November 11, 2026.

This Veterans Day, we remain hopeful that the years of planning, designing, fundraising and community support will soon culminate in breaking ground. 

The memorial has always been about more than granite, flags and landscaping. It is about ensuring that the stories and sacrifices of East Longmeadow’s veterans are never forgotten. We are honored to have played a role in designing a space where those stories can be remembered for generations to come.

Help Bring the Memorial to Life

Community support remains an important part of getting this project across the finish line. Those interested in supporting the East Longmeadow Veterans Memorial can contact Veterans Memorial Committee Chairman Terry Glusko Sr. at 413-348-5789. Supporters can also purchase an engraved paver honoring a veteran, individual or organization.

Donations may also be made by check payable to the East Longmeadow Veterans Memorial Committee and mailed or delivered to:

PeoplesBank
201 North Main Street
East Longmeadow, MA 01028

As we recognize Veterans Day, ArchitectureEL extends its gratitude to all who have served and to the dedicated members of the East Longmeadow Veterans Memorial Committee who continue working to create a lasting tribute to their service and sacrifice.