Raymond Wright Park was formerly a small park with a monument honoring World War I veterans. Numerous enhancements were made, upgrading the area to include a tribute to six local men who served our country in the Vietnam War.

Five lost their lives in Vietnam and the sixth, Raymond "Buzz" Wright, was awarded the Medal of Honor. Raymond returned home –a hero– and was presented with the actual medal by the President. Mr. Wright passed away in September 1999.

A ceremony was held  Saturday, Nov. 4, 2000, dedicating the "new" park –renaming it after Mr. Wright. Among the additions is a monument in tribute to Raymond and a monument honoring the other five servicemen:
    John P. Drake
    David L. Jarvis
    Joseph J. Ribeiro
    Marcus W. Stoddard
    Michael D. Baker

Raymond R. "Buzz" Wright Memorial Park
Mineville, NY
  
Dedication Ceremony Collage

The Essex County Leathernecks of Ticonderoga and the 962nd Ordnance Co., U.S. Army Reserve of Plattsburgh stand at attention as Leonard Keller unveils one of the monuments. Images in top left corner include Bagpiper Sgt. Domenic Rickert, Bugler Bill Martin, and Leonard Keller, Medal of Honor Recipient.
The "Fly-Over" of a Black Hawk helicopter was piloted by Neil Goodrich and Bill Bosserdet. Top right images include Gary Beikirch, Medal of Honor Recipient, Shirley Allen (sister of Mr. Wright) and Committee Member, Dick Finnessey after unveiling of Park sign, and Walter Rushby, Town of Moriah Supervisor, assisted by 
Mr. Wright's grandchildren, revealing roadway sign for "Raymond R. Wright Way."


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Dedication Ceremony

The afternoon's program began with selections played by the Moriah Central School Band. John Grant served as Master of Ceremonies, delivering opening remarks after the singing of the National Anthem by Thistle Carson. Many dignitaries and invited guests participated in the day's activities with numerous individuals, businesses and organizations contributing to the ceremony's success and park development.
SPEAKERS & EVENTS INCLUDED:
INVOCATION................ Msgr. Francis White
REMARKS...................... Walter Rushby Jr., Supervisor Town of Moriah
Jim Lloyd, Essex County Veteran Association
Bob Chase, Member North Country Vietnam Veterans Assoc. Post #1
GUEST SPEAKERS........ Mr. Gary Beikirch, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient and
Member Nat. Board of Directors Vietnam Veterans of America

Mr. Leonard Keller, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
who was awarded the medal for the same action as Mr. Wright
UNVEILINGS
MASSING OF COLORS
READING OF NAMES & PLACEMENT OF FLOWERS
FLY-OVER
TAPS................................ William Martin*
POEM............................... Robin J. Temple, Vietnam Veteran
CLOSING REMARKS.... John Grant
*William Martin volunteered to play Taps for the ceremony. Mr. Martin played Taps for the U.S. Army Band in Washington, D.C. and has participated in Full Honor Ceremonies at The Tomb of The Unknown Soldier and JFK Memorial. From 1968-1969, he was the official bugler for the U.S. Army at Arlington Cemetery.

Mr. Martin also provided us with his "thoughts on the Dedication Ceremony" and would like to share them with you:
     "I volunteered for this ceremony so I could pay one final tribute to all the good men I honored during the height of the war (1966-1969).
     The experiences of those years will never be totally forgotten or behind me, but this is one way to say, 'thank you' to a lot of brave men.
     I believe that the sounds we make here on earth go on forever through space and time. Maybe the sounds of this ceremony will be heard
     by those we honor. If not, at least the families present will know that the memories of lost sons are still honored by those of us who lived."
                                                                                                                                                                                         William Martin

Note:
•  The Memorial Committee consists of Cecilia Wojciukiewicz (Chairperson), Dick Finnessey, Joseph Rodriguez, John Maye and John Wright.
•  The American Flag –flying the day of the ceremony– flew over the US Capitol on October 17, 2000 in honor of Raymond "Buzz" Wright and
•  the five servicemen from the Town of Moriah who passed away in the Vietnam War.
•  Also, the road running from Plank Road, Mineville to Main Street, Witherbee was renamed "Raymond R. Wright Way."
Read about Mr. Wright and his Medal of Honor Citation.
Read Leonard Keller's Medal of Honor Citation
Read Gary Beikirch, Medal of Honor Citation