Burlington Veterans Memorial

I am writing this letter in response to a recent article in the Burlington Times Chronical , regarding “Veterans to be added on wall at 5 Flags Memorial “Dated July 8, 2014.  I am appalled that the Town of Burlington is allowing this to take place.  There are countless veterans who both lived or have passed from Burlington.  These men and woman have spent years serving the United States as well as the Town of Burlington.  I am amazed that we are now asking these soldiers and Sailors and/or there Families to donate $200.00 to $250.00 to have their name on a plaque on the Town Common.  Many surrounding Cities and Towns honor their veterans with Honor rolls in appropriate areas of the community. Whether in a Town square or Town hall, at no cost to any of these Brave Men and Women.

With the expertise and diverse industries and individuals in this Town, there must be a better solution to honor our soldiers and sailors.  Without charging these individuals and/or their families $200, 00 per name.  There are many men and Women who are currently serving in our Military and many who will join their ranks in the coming years.  We need an appropriate memorial which can accommodate their names when their tours are completed   

I am also concerned about this deadline of July 30th.  Why do we need a deadline??  If we design and construct an appropriate memorial to these soldiers and sailors we must have the capability of adding new names in a timely manner.  A completion date of 11 November 2014   is not practical 

I am asking the Board of Selectmen as well as the Town Veteran’s agent to appoint a committee of individuals who  can work together to  review what other  cities and Towns have done for their servicemen and woman.  We do not need a bronze plaque with a few names on it, but we do need an Honor Roll or appropriate memorial to honor for all Burlington Men and woman who have honorably served and in many cases died for our country and the Town of Burlington, as well as for those who will serve in the Future

LTC Jose Silva USA retired

Burlington MA  01803