A campaign by the Friends of the New Lynnfield Veterans has achieved its goal to raise $50,000 for the construction of the new Lynnfield Veterans Memorial. The fundraising committee has raised a total of $69,120 so far through donations from town residents and businesses.
Select Board Chair Joe Connell has been on the fundraising committee since its inception seven years ago.
“When the town asked me if we can raise $50,000 for the new Lynnfield Veterans Memorial, I said sure, of course we can,” Connell said. “We have been putting out ads in the paper, asking for donations.”
Connell said that the work on the memorial is already underway.
“I’m working with a company called PG Memorials,” Connell said. “That is a company that’s making the granite plaques or plates with the names engraved on it. The foundation for the concrete wall is being poured next week. And I’m working with a local mason who will do the veneer facing of the memorial where the service crests will be attached. And so everything is in terrific shape.”
The committee is aiming for the construction to be completed by Nov. 11, 2024, which happens to be Veterans Day.
“We’ll have a grand opening on Veterans Day of next year,” Connell said. “But we’ll have some soft opening before that. It is unofficial right now, but we’re in terrific shape. The extra money that we raised will go towards the landscaping and then to a fund for the maintenance fee because we know we’ll have to take care of the memorial for years to come.”
Connell said the efforts of the town’s residents and their contributions have made this project a success.
“Every 15 days, I get an update of the new donations made,” Connell said. “I try to recognize the effort people took, and I write handwritten notes to each of those people for their contributions. I cannot thank them enough. This is one of the most patriotic towns I’ve ever lived in and they saw the need for a memorial. I cannot express the gratitude I have for the people that have donated to the fund so far.”
Director of Veterans Services Bruce Siegel thanked his predecessor, Jason Kimball, for envisioning this project, and the committee members, town officials, and residents for their support and dedication to the project. He also said that Connell played a crucial role in overseeing the memorial’s development.
“I look forward to the day our new Veterans Memorial is open to the public,” Siegel said. “The town’s support and our collective commitment will then be a source of pride for all of us.”
