In the heart of downtown Warren, where High Street meets Mahoning Avenue, the Trumbull County Veterans’ Memorial stands as a solemn tribute to those who served. Since its dedication on Veterans Day, November 11, 2008, the memorial has become more than a monument – it is a gathering place for remembrance, a teaching space for students, and a touchstone for families honoring loved ones.
Honoring Service, Preserving Memory
For Sgt. James Rapone, a Vietnam veteran, the memorial represents a deeply personal journey.
“When I was asked to serve on the steering committee back in 2007 to create a Veterans’ Memorial in downtown Warren, I was truly honored,” he recalls. “As a United States Marine Corps Vietnam Veteran, it became a way for me to honor all of the Vietnam Veterans who didn’t come home. It was also to recognize service men and women from all branches that served our country in all of our wars and conflicts.”
He remembers working side by side with fellow veterans and trade union volunteers, putting in long hours to see the vision come to life. Now, as he approaches his 80th birthday, he and the other original committee members felt it was time to “pass the torch” to the next generation of caretakers.
“We felt strongly that the Community Foundation and the Trumbull County Veterans Service office were a good match for this Memorial, to safeguard this investment, both financially and for the care, upkeep and maintenance of the Memorial itself,” he adds.
A Mission to Give Back
For David Kostolansky, chair of the original steering committee, the project carried a different kind of meaning.
“I am not a veteran, and I never had the privilege to serve our country. Something I regret to this day,” he shares. “But when I was asked to be a part of the committee to create the Trumbull County Veterans’ Memorial, I leapt at the opportunity. For me, it became a mission, an effort to say thank you to all those who served.”
He sees the memorial as a landmark, an ever-present reminder in the heart of the city.
“The memorial is a destination in downtown Warren that is visible for all to see, for all to visit, and for all to remember,” he says. “I am delighted to see it entrusted to the Veterans Service Commission and supported by this new fund.”
A Practical Fund for a Living Memorial
The newly established Trumbull County Veterans Memorial Fund, housed at the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley, is designated to support the ongoing maintenance and upkeep of the site. Unlike a permanent endowment, the fund is expendable, meaning its resources can be used fully if future needs demand it. While the intention is to preserve it for years to come, its primary purpose is to ensure the memorial itself is cared for, whatever challenges may arise.
The fund builds on the legacy of the Western Reserve Veterans’ Memorial Association (WRVMA), which, in partnership with many community groups and individuals, raised funds to construct and maintain the memorial after it was first envisioned by Marine 1st Lt. William Muter. Following WRVMA’s dedicated stewardship, the organization worked with the Trumbull County Veterans Service Commission to transition oversight and create a sustainable path forward.
A Community’s Commitment
For Cari Delgado, director of the Trumbull County Veterans Service Commission and president of the Trumbull County Memorial Park Foundation, the memorial is more than stone and bronze. It is built from the lives and sacrifices of neighbors, friends, and family.
“Having a veterans’ war memorial is so important to many people in the community. It would be difficult to find someone who has not been affected by a time of war, past or present” she says. “Our memorial is so impactful because of the numerous bricks placed there with the names and branches of veterans from our community, all coming together to form this memorial. Every wall is made up of those names, representing individuals who united as one to fight for our freedom. Without our veterans uniting, there would be no memorial.”
Delgado emphasized that the fund’s purpose is as practical as it is symbolic.
“Having funds set aside in an account to maintain and care for this sacred spot is vital,” she says. “Weather and time will affect the outward appearance of the bricks, and we want to be able to keep up with preservation as needed. It is so important to maintain and repair throughout time, so that we can show how much we will continue to care for them, as they have for us. Our future was paved by these brave veterans, and we are dedicated to preserve their good name.”
Carrying the Vision Forward
For Ned Gold, the third founding member of the fund and another of the original board members of WRVMA, the memorial’s story is still being written – etched, quite literally, one name at a time.
“One of the ways the committee raised funds to construct the memorial was by selling bricks engraved with the names of veterans,” he shares. “I have been amazed at how many people are still requesting bricks to honor their loved ones. It appears that this is a memorial that will continue to expand. We want to keep that going.”
From the start, community members like Sue Shafer of the Tribune Chronicle played a key role in bringing the project to life, coordinating the sale of engraved bricks and helping share the memorial’s story with the wider community. While all available space for engraved bricks has been filled, the Trumbull County Memorial Park Foundation is developing plans for 2026 to add additional bricks to the memorial. Details will be shared once those plans are finalized, ensuring that future generations will continue to have a way to honor their loved ones and add their stories to this lasting tribute.
The Role of the Community Foundation
Behind the scenes, the Community Foundation provides structure and local expertise to help donors and organizations achieve their goals. In this case, the foundation helps ensure the fund is carefully managed and that distributions are directed to support the memorial’s upkeep.
“Working with the group over the past several years to bring this fund to life has been both meaningful and rewarding,” says Rachael Chacon, Senior Director of Operations at the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley. “The founders had a clear vision for sustaining the memorial, and we were able to provide the structure to help that vision take shape, ensuring their efforts continue to benefit the community well into the future.”
Looking Ahead
Already, the memorial has hosted ceremonies for Memorial Day and Veterans Day, POW/MIA remembrances, Eagle Scout projects, weddings, and student tours. It is a living part of Trumbull County’s civic and cultural life, linking generations past, present, and future. Thanks to the foresight of its founders, the leadership of local veterans’ organizations, and the adaptability of the fund, the community has ensured this place of honor will remain strong.
“My hope,” shares Sgt. Rapone, “is that this memorial will live on as a reminder to all those who visit or pass by, that freedom comes with a huge price tag. The memorial is a small way to acknowledge their commitment to our country.”