Civil War Society Leader Honored for Monument Restoration Efforts

On October 9, the Patchogue chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) presented the DAR Community Service Award to the Director General of the Society of the Grand Army of the Republic (SoGAR) for his efforts to preserve a Patchogue-based Civil War monument.

At their October meeting, members of the Col. Josiah Smith Chapter presented the award and a commemorative pin to Thomas Badamo for the significant role he played in facilitating the restoration of the "Citizen Soldier" statue that sits outside the American Legion Hall on Baker Street.

Back in 2017, the zinc monument, which depicts a soldier gripping a long rifle, was at risk of toppling over. A crack in the base caused the structure to lean backward. With assistance from the village, Thomas created a makeshift support using a ladder to ensure it did not collapse.

Thomas collaborated with local government officials and several other service organizations to arrange for the statue’s removal to McKay Lodge Art Conservation Laboratory in Ohio for its restoration as well as its subsequent return and placement in 2019. Additionally, he was instrumental in securing a $30,000 grant to fund the project.

The statue was erected in 1870 on the grounds of the former Patchogue High School on Academy Street and was moved to its current location in the 1920s. One of 86 replica monuments that exist around the United States, it is etched with 180 names representing former residents who served during the Civil War.

The DAR Community Service Award is given to those who perform voluntary community service on a local level. Award recipients reflect the needs of our communities and provide service in a wide spectrum of areas where they fill a need for people, animals, or our environment. More than 500 award presentations were reported in 2020.

The DAR is a nonprofit, nonpolitical volunteer women’s service organization dedicated to promoting historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution is eligible.

SoGAR is a historical, educational, and patriotic organization that is dedicated to advancing an understanding of the Civil War and how it impacted our communities. They actively work to identify local Civil War Veterans, honor and restore their graves, and research their military units’ histories.