Newly renovated Medford Veterans Memorial Park dedicated after a year of construction
MEDFORD — State and local officials attended the dedication of Veterans Memorial Park in Medford on Aug. 26. The park, which is located in Medford Center, underwent renovations that began last fall and were completed this summer.
The project involved construction of a new honor roll wall for Medford veterans, landscaping improvements, new pathways and a picnic bench, and reconstruction of the existing gazebo.
Total cost of the project was $10,000, not including the approximate $15,000 in donated materials and incalculable volunteer labor. According to Kent Black, the selectperson who spearheaded the effort, the project fulfilled the original vision of the late Clyde Hichborn, a former state representative from LaGrange who served nine terms in the Maine Legislature and donated the land for the park in 1997.
VETERANS MEMORIAL — Attending the dedication ceremony on Aug. 26 for the newly renovated Veterans Memorial Park in Medford were, from left, Rep. Chad Perkins, R-Dover-Foxcroft, Medford Selectperson Sam Bradeen, Select Chairperson Lori Anthony, Selectperson Bobby Ellison, Selectperson Wilma Buchanan, Sen. Stacey Guerin, R-Glenburn, and Selectperson Kent Black. The project cost about $10,000 in town funds, $15,000 in donated materials, and an incalculable amount in volunteer labor.
The original wooden signboard that was erected when the park was first created honored Medford’s veterans spanning from World War I to the Vietnam War, but it had to be taken down due to its age and condition. Black said that led town officials to the idea of creating a volunteer committee to completely renovate the park and install the new memorial wall.
“Over the 20-odd years, that signboard disintegrated. From there came an overall plan for the wall,” Black said. “The motivation was to make it more appropriate to the purpose of the memorial park.”
For Sen. Stacey Guerin, R-Glenburn, who attended the dedication ceremony last month, the project honors those in the community who served in the military and – for some – gave the ultimate sacrifice in defending freedom.
“Medford had lost someone in every war. It was also a great sacrifice for those families who were left behind,” she said. “Medford has made a great memorial that should stand the test of time to honor those who have served their country.”
Attending the dedication ceremony on Aug. 26 were Guerin, Black, Rep. Chad Perkins, R-Dover-Foxcroft, Medford Select Chairperson Lori Anthony, and select board members Sam Bradeen, Bobby Ellison, and Wilma Buchanan.