From a casual conversation, a group of people decided to take on the task of building one spectacular monument to honor all veterans, living and dead, who entered and honorably served the U S military while living in Bristol Borough. The Executive Board consist of Richard Tosti, Chairman; Robert Tosti, Treasurer; Sharon Lalli, Financial Secretary; Jo Lalli, Recording Secretary, Alfred Cordisco, Ralph Lalli, Nicholas Lalli, Albert Lalli, and John Pica.

After investigating the current monuments it was learned that in the late 1940’s the different wards of the town were charged to erect a monument within their ward. It is believed that the First Ward, Third Ward, and Sixth Ward did erect a monument. The committee could find no evidence that Wards Two, Four and Five were successful in erecting any kind of monument. The memorial in the First Ward is located on the back wall of the United Methodist Church on Mulberry Street. The memorial for the Third Ward was originally on Otter Street but has since been moved to property owned by the Third Ward firehouse. The memorial for the Sixth Ward is located on a plot of ground owned by the borough on Farragut Avenue between Fillmore and Monroe Streets. Since this memorial is located on a plot of ground that could easily accommodate a larger monument and be accessible to everyone, it was decided to erect the new monument there.
The committee met with a local artist, Tom Rudesyle, and asked him to make some sketches of a monument and he presented the committee with several different ideas. They also met with an architect, Scott Brown to draw up and architectural plan for construction of the monument. After the committee met and formulated their plan, they met with Bristol Borough Council to get approval to use the plot of ground and permission to go forward with the plan as envisioned by the Committee. The Borough Council enthusiastically approved the plan and use of the land, and promised the help of Borough employees. It has also offered to appoint a councilman to serve as liaison between the committee and the Borough Council.

The committee is in the process of applying for a non-profit status. Fundraising efforts will begin very soon starting with a kickoff dinner. Letters will be mailed out to thousands of people asking for names of family members or friends that should be included on the monument. This is an un-daunting task and one that the committee has been warned is impossible to accomplish. There is no one place that lists the names of veterans from Bristol Borough. We need the help of everyone who lives in Bristol or who did live here at some point in time and knows of someone that should be included. The feeling within the committee is that the people of Bristol have always been forthcoming in their loyalty to family members, the Borough and our Country. We are relying on the people of Bristol to provide us with the names of those men and women who honorably served and to bring this memorial to life.
Flyers will be posted in surrounding stores and public buildings along with copies of the application forms to submit names for the monument. Part of the plan for the monument will be a brick walkway. Anyone who would like to help can purchase a brick. The committee has named this the WALK OF HONOR to honor those that stayed at home and supported our men and women by working in factories, or raising their family alone or for some medical reason could not join their friends in the military.

Information on the progress of our mission, to obtain a copy of the application form, or to view a sketch of the proposed monument is posted on the Bristol Borough website (Bristol Borough.com). If you would like to send information to the committee, please mail it to Bristol Borough Veterans Memorial Fund, P. O. Box 241, Bristol, PA 19007.
 

EXECUTIVE BOARD CONTACTS

RICHARD TOSTI, CHAIRMAN                               ROBERT TOSTI, TREASURER                  SHARON LALLI, FINANCIAL SECRETARY

205 POND STREET                                                    2415 E. FARRAGUT AVENUE                    1309 WOOD STREET

BRISTOL, PA 19007                                                   BRISTOL, PA 19007                                    BRISTOL, PA 19007

                                                                                     215 781 9899                                              215 785 0236

JOSEPHINE LALLI,

RECORDING SECTY.                                              RALPH LALLI                                           NICHOLAS LALLI

349 BARRY PLACE                                      349 BARRY PLACE                                   350 TAFT STREET

BRISTOL, PA 19007                                                 BRISTOL, PA 19007                                   BRISTOL, PA 19007

215 788 8209                                                            215 788 8209                                              215 785 2424

ALBERT LALLI                                                       AL CORDISCO                                           JOHN PICA

1309 WOOD STREET                                             2000 WILSON AVENUE                                345 LAFAYETTE STREET

BRISTOL, PA 19007                                                BRISTOL, PA 19007                                      BRISTOL, PA 19007

215 785 0236                                                           215 788 2819                                                 215 788 2173