The town of Greece dedicated the Heindl Victory Garden Oct. 11 in memory of one of the most decorated chaplains of World War II, Father Elmer Heindl, who lived in Greece until his death earlier this year.
The garden is at the northwest corner of Maiden Lane and Dewey Avenue in Greece, near St. Charles Borromeo Church, the parish that Father Heindl led for many years. During World War II, he served in Guadalcanal, New Britain, Bougainville and the Philippines, and earned two Distinguished Service Crosses, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star and the Legion of Merit.
The victory garden is reminiscent of the backyard vegetable gardens that became common during World War II in order for large farms to feed troops and civilians in war-torn areas, town officials said. The garden was made possible by the Town of Greece; Father Tim Brown, pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Church; the Monroe County Water Authority; Greece Police Officer Norm Gerhardt; local Knights of Columbus; the American Legion; the Veterans of Foreign Wars; the Monroe County Color Guard; and Van Putte Gardens.
