Here’s where Steelworkers Veterans Memorial in Bethlehem will be moving

The Steelworkers Veterans Memorial, dedicated 30 years ago near what was then an entrance to the Bethlehem Steel plant, is moving to a new plaza at the National Museum of Industrial History, officials announced Tuesday.The memorial, now at Third and Polk streets, must move to make way for a public garage proposed by the Bethlehem Parking Authority. The authority bought the land for the garage last month from the Sands casino.The memorial relocation is being funded by a grant from Pennsylvania Commonwealth Financing Authority.“The nation is full of veterans throughout history who not only fought to protect our country but worked in the nation’s steel mills during and after their service,” Mayor Robert Donchez said in a statement. “Their dedication to serving and building our country deserves an appropriate place in history, and I can think of no better place to honor them than at the National Museum of Industrial History.”The memorial was dedicated in May 1989 by then Bethlehem Steel CEO Walt Williams. The brainchild of the company’s veterans committee, the original concept was a small plaque and morphed under the guidance of the late Raymond F. Rosati Jr., a Bethlehem Steel millwright from Hellertown, according to the museum.Rosati, a U.S. Marine who served in Vietnam, designed the memorial that includes scenes from major wars. It was built at the Bethlehem Steel plant. Plaques were added through grants arranged by the late state Rep. William C. Ryak.Kara Mohsinger, president and CEO of the museum, said she was “honored to give these heroes a a rightful place in history at the museum,” which once was part of Bethlehem Steel’s looming flagship plant.“We will continue to preserve the history and honor the steelworkers who fought for our country while carrying out Mr. Rosati’s vision for this memorial,” she said.Groundbreaking for the museum’s new plaza is expected to begin later this year.
Source: Morningcall