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Council approves Vietnam Memorial Wall at Aero Park; veterans groups to fund installation
Summary
The Watertown Common Council approved a resolution allowing a smaller-than-DC permanent Vietnam Memorial Wall at Aero Park, to be largely funded by veterans organizations and expected to open around Veterans Day.
The Watertown Common Council voted to approve a resolution permitting a Vietnam Memorial Wall to be placed at Aero Park, a project led by the American Legion and funded primarily by veterans organizations outside Watertown.
The memorial will be approximately 80% the size of the National Mall wall — described in the meeting as about 8 feet high and roughly 320 feet in length — and is planned for the parking-lot side of Aero Park near an existing retention pond. Organizers said the display could open on Veterans Day in November and is expected to draw visitors and school trips.
The mayor described outreach from the American Legion and other veterans groups, noting the wall has been a traveling exhibit and that local veterans organizations and national groups including VFW and Marine Corps League have pledged support. The mayor said site planning and airport commission review have occurred; airport clearance from federal authorities will be required because the site is near airport property.
“The plan is to make it a permanent fixture,” the mayor said. He added the installation would feature downlighting and security cameras and that the design team included a local engraver originally from Watertown.
Aldermen voted to approve the resolution after limited discussion. The council record shows the airport commission and planning commission previously reviewed the plan. No city funding was described in the council discussion; meeting remarks emphasized external fundraising and veterans organization contributions.
The resolution passed on a voice vote with the council recording a motion and subsequent affirmative votes. Council members and supporters said the memorial is intended as a community tribute and that organizers will continue site-clearance work with airport and federal authorities.
