This page was last updated on 29 January 2010.

These photos show the memorial as it was being built--click on each to enlarge them so you can see them better!

Wooden forms and rebar were set. Trucks rolled in to pour the first layer of cement and the pouring began. Photos by Pauline Duke.

The first pouring was complete. Photos by Pauline Duke.

Media was invited many times throughout the two years of working towards this project. On this day of pouring at least two television stations showed up to interview Founder Bob LaDuke. John Allen who was working for WNYT-TV13 and Dori Marlin who was working for WTEN-TV10 were there. Photos by Pauline Duke.

Once the pouring started construction really began to take off. Before anyone knew it the base and wall had already taken shape. Union volunteers worked throughout the Fall. The blocks were set and watersealed. Layers of bluestone were applied. Some of the ground was filled in. Electric and water lines were marked. The wall was covered for the winter but construction continued under the cover!

The following five photos were of the site in December '08 and though covered you could still see the progress that had been made as well as the back side of the memorial and the shed as it was located in its proper place. Photos by Noonie Fortin.

The winter didn't stop construction! Heaters were added--not just for the stone but the men worked in below zero temperatures. The military emblems arrived and were put in place.

At the end of March '09 most of the memorial was uncovered in preparation of the end caps being added and so the architect could reshoot the lines for the water and electric connections. Photos by Noonie Fortin.

Once again media was invited. Kaitlyn Ross from CapitalNews 9 came early and Tim O'Brien from the Times Union came at the scheduled time and interviewed Founder Bob LaDuke. Photos by Noonie Fortin.

Mid-April the site got cleaned up a little. A few days later the memorial was washed. Photos by Noonie Fortin.

The memorial wall was nearly finished. The branch emblems were covered again for awhile longer. The plumber began connecting the water pipes from the memorial to the pump in the shed and the electricians began digging and laying pipes which took a little longer since the backhoe wasn't working that day and so they were digging by hand! Photos by Noonie Fortin.

The electricians returned early the next Friday to dig and lay their pipes. This time the backhoe was there to do the digging as well as a cat to cover the now connected pipes. Photos by Noonie Fortin.

The crews continued to lay pipes and covered them over all the way to the shed. At that point more electrical wire was needed to be threaded through the pipes from the main building to the shed and make all the connections along the way. Then dig and lay water pipes! Photos by Noonie Fortin.

Water pipes were completely installed as are the electrical pipes. Wiring was done from the shed to the memorial itself and electrical boxes in place at one end and on the back side. A new door had to be put on the shed since someone broke into it--this time it's a steel door with a deadbolt lock! Photos by Noonie Fortin.

The trees are down, stumps pulled out and large tree trimmed. The hill behind the memorial was cleared as was the area in front of it and both sides. The landscaping crew began their phase! Photos by Noonie Fortin.

The crew began filling in front of the memorial, grading the land and preparing the ground for the pavers. Stumps were hauled away as I pulled in that morning. Photos by Noonie Fortin.

The crew returned and prepped the ground for the paver bricks. The first shipment of pavers arrived. Photos by Noonie Fortin.

The pavers began to be laid--YEAH! We were verifying bricks and making sure families and friends were kept together. What an amazing thing to see my own brick and those of my family and friends. Couldn't wait to see them laid. Photos by Noonie Fortin.

The crew worked everyday and their efforts began to take shape. The paver field was nearly complete but more pavers had to be ordered. The walkway was also nearly completed. Photos by Noonie Fortin.

As it should be our Founder's brick was laid as the first one you see as you enter the field of pavers! Photo by Noonie Fortin.

The next week was amazing and hectic! Benches (which were an Eagle Scouts project) arrived. The surrounding ground was prepped and hydroseeded. Final bricks were laid. Photos by Noonie Fortin.

Shrubs were planted by the memorial and shed. Benches were brought in and set in place. Reflecting pool electrical work was done. Masonary sand was spread over the field of paver bricks. Photos by Noonie Fortin.

And the flag pole was raised! Photos by Noonie Fortin.

We were Almost There! Photo by Noonie Fortin.

Announcements to the media went out again--the only one that was responded was Kaitlyn Ross of CapitalNews 9. She interviewed both Founder Bob LaDuke and Noonie Fortin. Photos by Noonie Fortin and Pauline Duke.

The Memorial was complete although there was still some work to be done after Dedication Day--which was suppose to be held on Friday 21 August 2009 at 6 PM--BUT due to flooding and more expected severe weather it was postponed to TUESDAY 25 AUGUST 2009! Look at how the grass had already grown! Photo by Noonie Fortin.