BRUNSWICK
The Brunswick American Legion has begun fundraising efforts in order to construct a new memorial, starting with a fundraising dinner on Saturday.
The event kicks off fundraising for a Purple Heart Monument dedicated to the Midcoast area Purple Heart Veterans.
According to the Legion, the closest monuments are in Springville Cemetery and the Cole Land Transportation Museum in Bangor.
Neither are not very accessible to veterans and their families, according to Joe Donahue of the Brunswick American Legion.
“We will put our monument on the Brunswick Mall for all the public to see and reflect,” Donahue wrote in a press release.
The Legion in February unveiled a proposal to improve the veteran’s memorial site on the lower Mall. According to Post Commander David Watson, the project will turn the existing monument so it’s facing the gazebo and place additional “sentinel” monuments to create a compelling remembrance of Brunswick veterans.
“It will drastically revitalize the north end of Lower Mall with unique hardscape and landscape design features that draw visitors into the new space,” Watson wrote in a flyer about the memorial circulated on Memorial Day.
The project has received support from the Brunswick Town Council. Watson — a member of the council — said he aims for all veterans organizations to help raise money for the memorial, which will then be handed over to the town to handle.
Brunswick Parks and Recreation Director Tom Farrell told the council in February the preliminary construction costs ranged between $111,000 and $148,000. The Purple Heart Monument will cost approximately $10,000, Donahue said.
Watson said he hopes to raise additional funds to set aside for future maintenance of the memorial.
The dinner takes place 5- 7:30 p.m. at the Legion hall at 1 Columbus Drive.
The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children. Chicken, peas, corn stuffing, mashed potato, salad and rolls are on the menu. The children’s menu includes hot dogs and macaroni and cheese.
Donations can be sent to the Brunswick American Legion, Attn: Gil Ormsby Purple Heart Fund.
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