Groton to create memorial sign program to honor veterans
Aug. 24—GROTON — Memorial signs honoring Groton veterans who died during a war or conflict are envisioned as part of a proposal to highlight local veterans.
"The goal is to honor and show appreciation to Groton residents for their contributions and sacrifice to our country," Town Councilor Bruce Jones, who proposed the sign idea, said at Tuesday's Town Council Committee of the Whole meeting.
In addition, a committee would be formed to maintain and improve the Groton Veterans Memorial Park and other war memorials, according to an amendment made by Councilor Rachael Franco. The committee also will create programs to promote veterans and the local memorials.
Under the proposed "Groton Veterans Recognition Memorials" program, signs would be installed on a cross street, corner or square in the veteran's neighborhood, memorializing the veteran's name, branch of service, date of birth and year they died.
The signs, would be mounted on a metal post and would be black with gold lettering as a tribute to the Gold Star Family. Jones also envisions an informal remembrance event will be held.
According to the proposal, family members, residents, or a Veterans of Foreign Wars or American Legion Post can apply for a Groton resident, who died in the line of duty, to be recognized. The committee will choose one or two veterans a year.
Jones said in a phone interview that he drew inspiration from Norwood, Mass., where he used to live. He said the community would host a Memorial Day parade, followed by smaller, corner memorial ceremonies ― typically one or possibly two a year ― to honor a veteran who died in the line of duty.
He said communities across the country have similar programs.
Jones said he thought it would be nice to bring the initiative to Groton, since it is a military town.
Franco said that in 1981, the council approved establishing an Ad-Hoc War Memorial Committee which was charged with identifying each resident who served in wars and military conflicts since World War I and recommending a memorial design, location and construction cost. The Groton Veterans Memorial Park was the result of that effort.
She said she recommended re-establishing that committee, but as a permanent committee with a new charge. If any memorials in Groton need upkeep or funding, the committee could make requests or recommendations to the council and could also fundraise.
"Having a Veterans & War Memorial Committee would ensure those in our community that have served our country in the past, the present, and the future would continually be recognized and given deserved appreciation, and those who sacrificed the most, those who lost their lives, would always be remembered, memorialized, and honored for their ultimate sacrifice," Franco said in statement.
Many councilors spoke about their own ties or family ties to the military. Town Mayor Juan Melendez Jr., remarked that this is typical for Groton residents and what makes the town special.
Councilor Portia Bordelon spoke about an idea of a "hometown hero" program, with banners, that she saw in a town in Pennsylvania.
Melendez said that while it's ultimately up to the committee, his idea would be for an individual memorial in honor of William Seely, the first Groton resident who died in World War II, now that there is no longer a school in his name. The school closed, and the property is being redeveloped into apartments.
The council was unanimously in favor of forming the committee and the signage program and will take a final vote at its Sept. 5 council meeting.
Melendez, who will appoint the committee members, said he will reach out in September to Jones and Town Historian Jim Streeter, who wrote a book "Remembering Our Veterans: A Directory of Groton's Veterans & War Memorials" about the more than 80 such memorials, to create a plan to recruit potential volunteers.
