Redfield Parkway experiences a lot of veterans traveling through their neighborhood daily, as the street leads to VA WNY property at the north end at Richmond avenue.
That topic led to a discussion during a Redfield Parkway Street Committee meeting last month about showing support for these veterans on Veterans Day November 11th.
“A couple of people on the Street Committee cited Colleen Proefrock’s house as having a great veterans flag,” says Committee Treasurer Nick Zinni.
“Colleen wondered if we could do something a little extra for Veterans Day this year. So we walked down to look at her veterans flag and came to a consensus that this was the right thing to do.”
Colleen currently works at the Buffalo VA and has been there for 12 years.
“I really wanted to support all our veterans who are at the PTSD Center,” says Colleen.
“They walk up and down our street so they know that we support them and are here for them.”
Redfield Parkway has been honoring veterans for quite some time with their Redfield Parkway American Flags display on Memorial Day, Flag Day, July 4th, Patriots Day(September 11th) and Veterans Day.
“There are a lot of motorcycles that go up and down this street on the weekends and they always give a thumbs up and are happy when we have flags out, they really appreciate it,” says Co-Treasurer John Chilano.
After word got out throughout the neighborhood about the veterans sign project and that Colleen had ordered enough signs for the entire street, an anonymous neighbor, who is also a veteran, volunteered to pay for all 65 signs to be made and then provided to residents free of charge. This isn’t the first time an anonymous neighbor has stepped forward since the start of the pandemic.
“Last year, another generous neighbor donated money for all 65 Christmas trees on the street,” says Zinni.
On Saturday morning, seven neighbors volunteered about an hour of their time to install the signs in front of each house on the street.
“I guess that is giving back to your country,” says Street Committee Secretary Elaine Watson.
