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Putnam Valley Veteran's Memorial Park to be Dedicated as Tribute to John Layman
by Edward Paul Greiff
Park adjacent to Town Hall, Tricentennial Capsule to be opened in April 2077
Adjacent to the Putnam Valley Town Hall is a veteran's memorial park created out of the dream, vision and inspiration of the late John Layman who served as a Councilman to the Town from January 1992 to December 1995. "In that time he was instrumental in creating this monument and park that he painfully helped build, raise funds for and continued to maintain until his death several months ago" recalls Town Clerk Carol Hughes-DiMarco. On Memorial day May 29, 2006 Chuck Kuchero will officially name and dedicate this park as the "John Layman Veteran's Memorial Park, as a tribute to, and in memory of, a very special person who made a difference in the town he loved and left a legacy for our generation and for generations to come," said Ms. DiMarco.
Town Clerk, friend and former political running mate of his, Carol Hughes-DiMarco wrote a heart-warming memorable tribute to John in which she recalls their campaign trails together and John's persevering efforts to fulfill his dream for Putnam Valley of having a memorial park to honor its veterans and to serve as a place where people could come and sit on a bench and enjoy the peace and tranquility of a garden.
Their friendship started on the porch of the Tompkins Corner Deli back in 1991 when they were both campaigning for office. "He bought me a cup of coffee and we shared the porch shaking hands with those who came by to buy their Sunday morning papers and rolls and that was the start of a friendship that lasted until his recent death," recalls Ms. DiMarco.
One of Mr. Layman's special projects was to build an 18-hole golf course, clubhouse and greens that he envisioned to be the answer to the Town's tax woes. But, "In spite of his efforts to entice developers to create this world class golf course in Putnam Valley, the idea fell through and some of John's heart went with it," stated Ms. DiMarco.
Carole Hughes went on to say, "This defeat was short lived and John then set his sights on the creation of a Veteran's monument and park on the grounds of the town hall property. He realized that he could not use taxpayer dollars to create this tribute so he focused his efforts on raising funds from donations. He not only collected enough money to purchase the stones, plaques, benches, fence and plantings but he also brought a community together each time they saw John digging post holes, planting bushes, or doing all the tasks that were required to make his dream a reality.
People would come by and help dig, donated tools for the tasks and donated time and muscle. It just proved to John that his idea was very much needed and appreciated by the residents of Putnam Valley. When he began to build the actual monument and the last stones were being put in place John took his coffee cup that he at times used to dig holes for the fence and placed it in the cement in the monument as a final tribute to the veteran's he so admired."
Ms. DiMarco recalls how John Layman continued to maintain the park even after he was out of office. He would bring water from home to water the bushes and trees because the town water contained too much salt. During the holidays he would decorate the trees and fence as an added tribute to the town's service men and women.
The park has served as a gathering place every Memorial Day where veterans from as far back as World War II show up to pay tribute. The seasoned veterans are a stark contrast to the young children who also show up to pay tribute and thank the veterans for all they have done for this country. And as Carol-Hughes DiMarco says, "We feel that it is now only fitting to dedicate this veteran's monument and park to John Layman. A man who had a dream and saw that dream become a reality."
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