Presenting the $1000 check at the Ilion Municipal Building were, from left, memorial committee member Jack Sterling, mega-reunion committee member Frank Jennings and memorial committee chairman Don Sterling. The renovation of the Ilion Municipal Building - Veterans' Memorial Auditorium was a project undertaken under Mayor John Gilmartin.

Mega-Reunion Alumni Donation to the

Ilion Veterans' Memorial Auditorium Restoration Project

The Ilion Alumni All Class Mega-Reunion Committee donated $1,000 from its remaining funds to support the group organizing the restoration project at the Ilion Veterans' Memorial Auditorium. The donation was made in memory of Ilion High School Alumni Veterans. The renovation of the Ilion Municipal Building - Veterans' Memorial Auditorium was a project undertaken under Mayor John Gilmartin. The remainder of the reunion funds were donated to the The Ilion Central School District Foundation.

Restoration Committee Chairman Don Sterling gave the members of the Mega-Reunion Committee an overview of the project. The most noticable change inside the Veterans' Memorial Auditorium, to date, is the removal of its drop ceiling. The original ceiling crossbeams and design work were completely restored.

Chandelier-style fixtures are replacing existing lights and are in the process of being installed. Most of the walls have already been painted. A medallion representing the branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, has been placed above each window. Murals depicting American wars will be placed nearby, as well as maps of where they took place.

Other improvements planned for the auditorium include the renovation of its hardwood floor and parts of the stage. An emblem for the Ilion Veterans' Memorial will be painted and sealed into the floor in the center of the room. The individual memorials, recognizing Ilion residents who died while fighting for their country, will also be updated, with special lighting put up to highlight them.

Work is progressing according to when funding is received by the restoration committee. The project has so far generated approximately $14,000, almost exclusively through fundraising efforts and contributions from groups and individuals from the community.

Don Sterling said that donations like the Mega-Reunion donation are vital to the project. Total costs for the renovation are expected to be about $20,000, which does not include an estimated $5,000 to have air conditioning installed in the auditorium. Volunteer labor has helped keep expenses low.

When the renovation is finished, special plaques will be put up recognizing people and organizations that donated $500 or more to the project. Sterling said his committee is creating a list of Ilion veterans so they can all be honored in the memorial, regardless of when and how they served.

Some major expenses have put the project somewhat behind schedule. The restoration committee had hoped to have the dedication on Memorial Day, but Sterling said they expect to finish sometime this Fall.

Anyone wishing to contribute can contact a Restoration committee member or send a donation to

Ilion Memorial Hall, P.O. Box 270, Ilion, N.Y. 13357

Visit the Alumni Veteran On-Line Memorial page for more information and links regarding Ilion Veterans.