Acton Veterans' Memorial Approved, Ceremony on 11/11/11

On Oct. 17, to be placed on the Town Common where the Spanish-American War monument is currently located. On Oct. 25, the Historic District Commission voted and approved the project, which means on Nov. 11, there will be a ceremony unveiling the new memorial.

The Ceremony:

On the 11^th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month, the signing of the Armistice in 1918 ended the First World War. On the 11^th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month in 2011, Acton will see a Veterans memorial on the Town Common.

• The ceremony will start at 10 a.m. and the Acton Minutemen will kick it off with a volley and an educational segment about the history of the American flag and the United States of America.

• There will be a reception in the Faulkner Room of the following the ceremony and Veterans and their families are welcome. Veterans are encouraged to RSVP with Lili at learly@acton-ma.gov or 978-929-6512 by the close of business on November first.

The Memorial:

Although the project has been discussed for several years now, it wasn’t until recently when John Murray, the assistant to the Town Manager & Director of Public Ceremony, had a meeting with couple dozen local veterans at the warehouse of the Highway Department building in Acton to discuss

• An estimated amount of $30,000 was donated from various sources for this memorial.

• The shopping plaza on Main Street that hosts Not Your Average Joe’s, Dunkin Donuts, T.C. Lando’s and many other businesses donated the piece of granite.

• An Acton woman, Yin Pete, offered to do the art work on the back of the memorial, which will be of an eagle with a revolutionary flag in one talon and an American flag in the other talon.

• The memorial will be placed where the Spanish-American War Monument currently is located in the Town Common, and the Spanish-American War Monument will relocate in between the and the

According to the press release from Murray, “The dedication of Acton’s Monument not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.”

The wording that will be on the monument:

To all Veterans, and those now active in the Armed Forces of the United States of America:

We honor your service and recognize the hardship of your loved ones,

We welcome you home, while remembering those who have yet to return,

And we grieve for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

With heartfelt gratitude that

Our Freedom will endure and flow to future generations,

We hereby dedicate this Memorial to you.

The People of Acton

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