Veteran's daughters leading effort to replace monument in Macomb"We just want something that's going to be a more enduring tribute," said Gina M. Outman, whose father, Dean, is among the 63 names painted on the memorial at the town's museum at Brasie Corners. Mrs. Outman and her sister Myrna Outman White, Heuvelton, are preparing a letter-writing campaign to raise funds for the monument. The wooden memorial is old and rickety and requires regular repainting. Mrs. Outman's father and his two brothers, Durwood and Donald, all served in World War II. Donald was killed in action in 1944 on a mission over Romania at age 21. Donald served in the Navy, and younger brother Dean, who lives in Heuvelton, was in the Army. "My father tells about how, at age 17, there was such a sense of patriotism that he wanted to go and be a hero," Mrs. Outman said. "It took a lot to get his father to allow him to sign up." Boot camp quickly erased the thoughts of glory that spurred her father to enlist. While there, he also learned about his older brother's death. "My father's father was crippled and they lived on a farm, so my father could have stayed home and worked on the farm," Mrs. Outman said. "Today, as an older man, he feels guilty, he feels that pain his father must have felt having his three sons away." Mrs. Outman drove around the area, looking at how other towns honored their World War II veterans. Then she wrote Macomb Town Supervisor Kevin Bresett with her suggestion for a stone monument. "It wasn't our intention to be the person drafting the letters or fielding the phone calls, but it kind of turned out to be that way," Mrs. Outman said. "This is something we feel very strongly about, so we wouldn't begrudge the fact that work needs to be done to see that this happens." The project has the full support of the town's leadership, Town Clerk Ida R. Bresette said. The Town Council had been asked about the possibility of a stone monument, but nobody until now had been willilng to take charge of such a project, Mrs. Bresette said. Because of financial constraints, the council did not want to get involved in handling the money for the project, Mrs. Bresette said. Instead, the town could only include a budget line-item for money that would go toward the Macomb Historical Association's effort to raise funds for the monument, which is expected to cost at least $3000. The council wants the names carved into the stone rather than put on a metal plaque. The monument will not be ready this year, but depending on the fund raising, could be in place as early as next spring, Mrs. Bresette said. "The town will make a donation, but they can't do that until next year's budget is prepared," she said. Mrs. Outman said the first letters seeking donations will be going out to families of those 60 men and three woman whose names appear on the monument. "I want my grandchildren to be able to go back and see their great-grandfather's name boldly listed there in a way that's long-lasting," she said.
July 6, 2003 Macomb MemorialTo The Editor:For some time, our family has wished that the town of Macomb had a stone memorial that honored the local men who bravely fought in World War II. After touring many surrounding areas, we've come to realize that Macomb is one of the few towns that doesn't have such a memorial. Its current wooden honor roll needs frequent maintenance. A stone memorial would be maintenance free and vandal proof. More importantly, it would serve as a permanent tribute of thanks to the township's World War II veterans. Their heroic service to our country can never be repaid; this memorial, however, would be a meaningful reminder of our gratitude. Our father, Dean Outman, served in the Navy during the war as did our uncle, Durwood Outman. Our uncle, Donald Outman, was killed in action over Romania. On a personal level, we feel that these men are heroes to our nation. They and their neighborhood comrades deserve this honor. The names that are currently found on the Macomb wooden honor roll are listed below. If you are aware of any additions, deletions, or corrections that need to be made to this list, please contact Gina Outman at 782-1707 or Myrna White at 344-7708. Gerald Allen, Edith Allen, Donald Alguire, Harold Barley, Richard Barr, Eric Brasie, Everett Brown, Byron Colburn, Perley Colburn, Howard Countryman, Raymond Countryman, Charles W. Dority, Donald Dority; Also, John Dority, Hollis Drummond, Elmer Drummond, Emery Evans, Dennis Finley, Morgan Finley, Morgan Fleming, Harold Gallagher, George Hitsman, Homer Kelly, Roy Kelly, William Knapp, Karl K. Knowlton, Fred Lawyer, Charles B. Lennox, Robert Lennox, Grace Mullin, George Mandigo, Edward J. Macaulay, George Macaulay; Also, Milton Marcellus, Thomas E. Murton, Dean Outman, Donald Outman, Durwood Outman, George W. Parker, Leonard Perry, Harry Pike, Howard Pike, Rodney Pike, Walter Pike, Lloyd Puffer, Ross D. Putman, Harold Raven, Newell D. Richardson, Donald Salisbury; Also, Emmet Simple, Glen Snyder, Elon Sipher, Charles Thomas, Frederick E. Turner, Robert B. Turner, William W. Turner, Robert Wainwright, Silas Wainwright, Glen Youngs, Gerald Youngs, Hazel Youngs, Paul Youngs. If your family, like ours, would like to see this tribute, please consider sending a donation to: Treasurer of the Macomb Historical Society 1545 Lead Mine Road Gouverneur, N. Y. 13642 |