Concord subcommittee unanimously adds Revolutionary War soldiers' names to mission statement

The Permanent Memorial Subcommittee of the Town of Concord voted unanimously on Jan. 23 to amend its statement of purpose to add language recognizing “the names of soldiers who lost their lives in the American Revolution.”

The change inserts the phrase into the middle paragraph of the committee's three‑paragraph mission, expanding the list of who the memorial will feature to include soldiers from the Revolution alongside stories and quotations from individuals and groups with connections to Concord. Committee members agreed the wording clarifies the subcommittee's scope and formalizes a focus that had been discussed in earlier meetings.

The committee treated the amendment as a formal motion and voted by roll call. The recorded yes votes were Tuohy Rogers, Kate James, Joe Palumbo, Polly Reeve and Nancy Frizzella Lee; the motion passed unanimously. No amendments to the newly added language were proposed during the discussion.

Committee members emphasized this subcommittee is the official body designated by the town to develop a permanent memorial, and they distinguished the committee’s work from separate private groups that may also be discussing memorial ideas. The transcript records a question about a separate private effort to create a monument listing names; members said that private group is distinct from the town‑designated subcommittee and that the subcommittee’s change does not bind any private projects.

The subcommittee chair confirmed the amendment will be incorporated into the circulating mission statement and into meeting minutes. The committee did not set any immediate design or placement decisions as part of the vote; the action was limited to the textual change to the mission statement.

The subcommittee will continue public engagement and planning work on site concepts, outreach and events tied to the town’s 250th activities.