The Meaning of Paradox "Eternal Flame" in Cheshire Connecticut
- Cheshire Today Staff
- Feb 22
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 11
If you’ve driven past Cheshire Town Hall on a crisp autumn morning or during the hush of a snowy evening, you’ve undoubtedly noticed it: a striking seven-foot pillar of pink granite standing sentry at the Veterans Memorial Plaza.
To the casual observer, it appears to be a compelling piece of abstract art. But to the veterans of Cheshire and to the family of its designer, Jurij “Jerry” Roman Lodynsky, the sculpture—aptly named Paradox—is a deeply intentional work of storytelling.
This is the history of a monument born from community resolve, shaped by artistry and engineering, and grounded—quite literally—in the same stone as America’s most enduring symbols.
The Birth of a Vision
The story begins in 1984, when Cheshire teacher Edith Tuxbury observed that, despite the town’s deep patriotism, there was no central memorial where the children of Vietnam veterans could reflect on their parents’ service.
By 1987, a committee of dedicated veterans formed to address that absence. Led by World War II veteran Richard Miller, and joined by respected local figures including John White, Frank Papandrea, Hank Carson, George Merriam, and Clifton Hartman, the group set out to create something meaningful and lasting.
From the outset, the committee was clear: this would not be a government-funded project. It would be a gift from the community. In a remarkable show of civic spirit, more than 1,000 residents and local businesses contributed, raising over $60,000 and deliberately declining a town grant to ensure the memorial was built by—and belonged to—the people.
A Design Chosen Unanimously
When local artist Jurij “Jerry” Roman Lodynsky submitted his proposal, it stood out immediately.
On October 10, 1988, his design was selected unanimously in a 12–0 vote over 20 competing concepts.
Inspired by the rugged granite cliffs of Acadia National Park, Lodynsky originally envisioned sourcing stone from afar. At Richard Miller’s suggestion, however, the committee chose the historic Stony Creek Quarry. The quarry’s distinctive pink granite also forms the base of the Statue of Liberty—linking Cheshire’s memorial to one of the nation’s most powerful symbols of freedom.
The result was a 7-foot, 11,640-pound monolith of Stony Creek pink granite set upon a 4,000-pound base of Cambrian black onyx from Pennsylvania.
The Meaning of Paradox
The name reflects the duality inherent in war—hope and sorrow existing side by side.
The Flame rises skyward, symbolizing the eternal light of hope and the enduring human spirit.
The Teardrop, carved as a hollowed center, represents the grief and sacrifice borne by families and communities.
The sculpture was conceived as a hopeful counterpoint to the somber tone of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., blending reverence with optimism.
Perhaps its most striking feature is its intentional alignment. The tear-shaped opening functions as a lens. From the western side, visitors can look through the 20-inch opening and see the spire of Cheshire’s First Congregational Church framed perfectly across the Green. From the eastern side, the 15-inch opening captures the setting sun.
The design was interactive by intention—especially for schoolchildren—encouraging reflection and connection across generations. During construction, a sharp beveled edge was softened to ensure safety and prevent children from catching their heads in the opening.
The Road to Barre
Carving Paradox was no small feat. The granite was transported to Barre, Vermont, where sculptor James Sardonis of Randolph undertook the delicate work at Granite Importers Inc.
Stony Creek granite is notoriously temperamental; one miscalculated cut could fracture the entire 11,000-pound block. Sardonis began carving at the fragile tip of the “flame,” while Lodynsky remained in Vermont during critical stages to supervise the most precarious work.
The trips north became the stuff of local legend. Lodynsky later joked that while Richard Miller was a quiet gentleman in town, he transformed into a determined “speed demon” behind the wheel of his red sports car, intent on shaving minutes off the 11-hour round trip to monitor progress.
The Wall of Honor
Encircling the sculpture is the Wall of Honor—a curved embrace of black onyx and bronze plaques
listing the names of Cheshire residents who served from 1775 through 1975, later expanded in 2008.
To be included, veterans had to be Cheshire residents at the time of enlistment. Revolutionary War veterans required at least six months of accumulated service.
The original 1989 census listed 1,286 names, including:
242 from the Revolutionary War
129 from the Civil War, among them Medal of Honor recipient Eri Woodbury
429 from World War II
262 from Vietnam, including John Allen Gravil, the only Cheshire resident lost in that conflict
In 2008, 77 additional names were added, recognizing service in conflicts from the French & Indian War through the Iraq War. Today, the wall honors more than 1,300 individuals—a literal census of the town’s courage.
Community Effort and Dedication
The project ultimately cost approximately $68,000—well below the original $90,000 estimate. A key
fundraiser, the “Cheshire All Star Revue,” was held on April 7, 1990, under the direction of Richard Conrad and Thomas Jones.
On May 27, 1990, the memorial was unveiled. In a symbolic gesture underscoring the monument’s purpose, the committee chose not politicians but five local students to pull away the covering cloth:
Christopher Marks (Chapman School)
Brendan Mason (Doolittle School)
Carey Zelo (Highland School)
Sarah Bundok (Norton School)
Ryan Robinson (Highland School)
The act represented the passing of memory and responsibility to the next generation.
A Monument That Endures
Today, Paradox stands at the junction of Route 10 and South Main Street, in front of Cheshire Town Hall. It is at once flame and tear, strength and vulnerability—its very form embodying the paradox of war.
The next time you cross the Green, pause at the Plaza. Look through the opening toward the church spire or catch the sunset framed in granite.
You will see what the designers intended all along: that while the cost of peace is often sorrow, the flame of hope in Cheshire remains as enduring—and as solid—as stone.
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