Clock at County Center Dedicated at Veterans Tribute

• Editor's Note: What follows is user-generated news. If you would like to post your news to Patch, for detailed instructions. The following is a press release from Assemblyman Robert Castelli.

“Everything takes time – but good things are worth waiting for,” was the timeless message from Assemblyman Robert J. Castelli (R, C – Goldens Bridge), County Executive Robert P. Astorino and the owners of Wilson & Son Jewelers.

The group gathered today outside the Westchester County Center near Tarrytown Road to dedicate the new clock donated by the jewelers.

The clock cost about $30,000. It replaces one erected in 1999 and destroyed when struck by a motorist in July 2008. Almost immediately, Wilson & Son Jewelers offered to create and fund a replacement. The site was prepared with the assistance of the county’s Parks and Public Works departments.

“As the ranking member of the Veterans’ Affairs committee in the New York State Assembly and a Vietnam veteran myself, I am particularly touched by this magnanimous and extremely generous gift,” Castelli said. “I want to personally thank the Wilson family for their very gracious decision to dedicate this in honor of our veterans.”

Castelli and Astorino were joined at the event by Matthew and Michael Wilson and their parents, Ira and Lynne, at whose suggestion the clock was dedicated in honor of Westchester’s veterans.

“This dedication to the county’s veterans is particularly timely, with our troops coming home from Iraq,” Astorino said. “I want to thank the Wilson family for their constant attention to this project. Because of their effort, we have a beautiful clock at the site and a reminder of the debt we owe to our veterans.”

On the pedestal of the clock is a plaque that says: “We dedicate this clock to the brave veterans of Westchester County. This clock shall serve as a permanent reminder, not only of the time but of the important people in our lives who have sacrificed so much to preserve our safety, freedom, and way of life.”

Matthew Wilson who had miniature clocks made to commemorate the occasion, said, “By dedicating this clock to our veterans, we are hoping to raise people’s awareness of the contribution and sacrifice of our veterans.” 

The new clock is not far from other historic areas around the County Center. Nearby, by the entrance to the Bronx River Parkway, are dozens of trees planted more than 90 years ago in honor and memory of those veterans who helped liberate France during World War I.

“Wilson & Son jewelers have for over one hundred years contributed to the health and well being of the communities that they serve,” Castelli said. “Now, once again, they prove their commitment to our veterans, and the county that they have resided in and done business in for more than a hundred years. I, and we as veterans, salute them in this grand gesture, which honors all our veterans.”