Veterans committee keeps berry granite and dark lettering for Vietnam memorial after reconsideration

The Orleans Veterans Committee on July 7 voted to keep the previously approved light-gray "berry" granite with dark-colored lettering for the planned Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Veterans Park, after reopening discussion on the material.

The decision came after members heard from Tom Bluth of Crosby Monument and nonprofit volunteers about three material options: the locally sourced "berry" granite, a honed dark gray/black granite from India, and a domestic black from Pennsylvania. Chair opened the reconsideration motion from the May 26 meeting and members then debated legibility, shipping time and cost before voting to "stay the course" with berry granite.

Why it mattered: committee members emphasized long-term legibility for the 144 names that will be engraved on the memorial and the practical impacts of shipping time and tariff-driven cost increases on any imported stone. Tom Bluth warned that the imported dark stone had higher cost and longer lead time, while other members said a darker honed stone would make the memorial more visually distinguished in the park.

"The dark granite is is considerably more expensive," Tom Bluth said when discussing the India option and the impact of tariffs on price. Brian, representing event/nonprofit perspectives, noted the practical tradeoffs of schedule and fundraising: "...there are now 144 names that we have verified ... which is almost twice as many as there were when we had this discussion a year ago." The committee also weighed how polishing and honing affect lichen growth and letter contrast; Bluth explained that wet stone darkens and that finishes reduce pores and maintenance needs.

The vote: After discussion, the committee voted to remain with the berry granite and dark lettering. Recorded responses cited in the meeting transcript were: Cecil Newcomb (aye), Melissa Phillips (aye), Kevin Higgins (aye) and Andrew Delorey (nay). The Chair announced the motion passed and closed the memorial-material portion of the agenda.

Context and next steps: Members said maintenance schedules and future decisions about finishing details could help the committee keep the memorial distinct without changing materials. The committee also discussed fundraising to cover cost differences if they ever choose a higher-priced material, and agreed to keep working with the 501(c)(3) partner and the artist on final details. Associate member John Fuller reminded the group of the project's purpose: "The bottom line is the names on this on the monuments, not the monuments themselves."

The committee moved on to other agenda items and scheduled its next meeting for July 28.