During a recent government meeting, concerns were raised regarding the Veterans Memorial Park, specifically about the accuracy and completeness of the information displayed on the memorial plaques. An email from a community member expressed disappointment over the lack of context for the names of service personnel honored at the park, noting omissions such as rank, date of service, and the wars in which they fought. The individual also criticized the portrayal of the global war on terror, arguing that it is not an internationally recognized conflict.

Commissioner Tufano addressed these concerns by providing historical context about the memorial's origins, which was initially established by the Rotary Club in the 1990s. He explained that the names and details engraved on the memorial bricks were determined by the families of the deceased, who requested specific information to be included.

Tufano emphasized the importance of recognizing all service members, particularly those involved in the global war on terror, which he described as encompassing numerous conflicts from September 2001 to August 2021. He noted that this designation is acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Defense and that veterans who served during this period are eligible for specific honors, including the Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal.

Mayor Pro Tem Gina Hoover, who is involved with the Matthews Veterans Advisory Committee, indicated that the committee would take the lead on addressing the issues raised about the memorial's content. The meeting underscored the community's commitment to honoring veterans and ensuring that their sacrifices are accurately represented.