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American Legion presentation accepted to add Persian Gulf memorial at Veterans Park
Summary
The Parks and Recreation/Heritage meeting accepted a presentation from the American Legion to install a granite memorial honoring Persian Gulf War veterans at Veterans Park (Jacob Square); the Legion said it will fundraise and seeks to include names from town participants.
The Parks and Recreation representatives accepted a presentation from the American Legion on a plan to install a granite memorial to Persian Gulf War veterans in Veterans Park (Jacob Square). The presentation was given by Mr. Danforth, who identified himself as the chaplain and service officer for the American Legion, and the commission moved to accept the presentation for town council notification.
The Legion told the commission it wants a memorial roughly the size of recent Vietnam-era cemetery markers, made of granite (and possibly marble accents), bearing a bronze plaque listing the Persian Gulf War campaigns and a compilation of names of Hooksett residents who served. "The legion, we feel it's appropriate to have a memorial for all those troops because a lot of those troops continue to serve," Mr. Danforth said during his remarks, noting local veterans and coalition participation in 1991 and subsequent deployments.
Danforth said the group prefers a location between the Gold Star Mothers monument and existing shrubbery at Jacob Square and asked the town maintenance staff to coordinate minor shrub trimming and DigSafe checks before installation because utilities and multiple land owners (the town, the church and the state) are involved at that site. He told the commission the Legion will pursue fundraising and does not intend to ask the town for money for the memorial's fabrication and installation.
A Parks and Recreation member made a motion to accept Mr. Danforth's presentation; a second was recorded and the commission approved the motion by voice. No roll-call vote or tally by individual name is recorded in the minutes provided. Members noted the Legion will coordinate with town staff (Rob, town maintenance) to confirm siting, irrigation and DigSafe clearance, and to schedule a dedication timed to a Memorial Day parade or event in the spring following fabrication.
The commission recorded that it will inform the town council that it accepted the presentation and that the American Legion intends to fundraise and coordinate installation details with town staff. No formal change to park policy or budget was approved at the meeting; the vote recorded in the transcript authorized notifying town council and proceeding with coordination steps rather than directing a specific town appropriation.
The Parks and Recreation staff and meeting participants asked the Legion to supply final dimensions, exact material specifications, and a proposed plaque text before any installation work begins; the transcript shows town staff will confirm underground utilities and ownership/multi-party permissions needed for work in Veterans Park.
