The Nesquehoning Memorial VFW 8008 will officially open its new Veterans and First Responders Memorial Garden next month.

A grand opening celebration will take place from 4-6:30 p.m. on May 22 at the garden, located just off East Catawissa Street next to the Nesquehoning Hose Company. Parking is available at the fire company for the event.

During the opening, a blessing of the memorial will be made by VFW chaplain Ted Dacey Sr.

VFW Commander Craig Strohl will make opening remarks, followed by remarks by Diane Giffels of Penn State Master Gardeners; Joe Veshinfsky of Penn State Extension Master Gardener coordinator; Carbon County Veterans Affairs Director Christine LeClair; and Abbie Guardiani, spokesperson of the Panther Valley Blueprint Community.

The garden, which began to take shape last year, is a labor of love by the community as a way to honor area veterans.

Over the summer and fall months, members of the VFW, partnering with the PV Blueprint Community and Penn State Master Gardeners worked to clear the plot of land to create a space for people to learn about native plants, honor the men and women who served this country, as well as first responders, and normalize talking about post-traumatic stress disorder.

Phase 1 of the area, which included the clearing of several trees, prepping the garden area, constructing a pole building and pouring a concrete ADA accessible ramp and flagpole, was completed as part of a $74,000 Local Share Account grant the VFW received, as well as through community donations.

Phase 2 of the project will include creating a native plant garden with the help of the Penn State Master Gardeners and Blueprint Community, which aims to educate visitors about various types of Pennsylvania plants; as well as an area for veterans and visitors alike to sit and reflect.

“The goal is to sustain soil, help address climate change, make sure we have an education piece around drought resistant and native plants from Pennsylvania,” said Joe Guardiani last year, noting that this is made possible through a $6,000 DEP Community Stewardship Grant.

There will also be walkways created, a concrete slab poured that will be the base for 3-foot tall statues that represent every military branch, as well as first responders; and an angel statue placed in the serenity garden.

RT Bliss of the VFW, who was one of the members who spearheaded the project, said last year that the organization has a lot of ideas for this property to bring the community together, from picnic opportunities, American Flag disposal ceremonies and more.

Donations for phase 2 of the project are still being accepted at the VFW Post home or at Jim Thorpe Neighborhood Bank under the “tree fund.”

For other ways to help the project, or to register for the upcoming grand opening event, call 570-460-2871 or visit https://extension.psu.edu/native-plant-garden-and-counseling-awareness.

Deadline to register for the Penn State Master Gardener workshop taking part during the event is May 19.