Ceremony Scheduled for the Knoll Sunday May 24 at 11 AM
The monument will serve as a place for remembrance and reflection for all who served in sacrificed in the war known commonly as "The Forgotten War."
The dedication will feature guest speaker and Korean War veteran Joe Sullivan, the Moulaison family, students from Operation Remember, traditional military honors and music honoring Memorial Day.
Monument Symbolism
A good veteran monument will remember and it will educate. This monument does both by including the names and pictures of the fallen and paying tribute to the more than 1,000 Melrosians who served during the Korean War era.
The 54 paving stones found in front of the monument represent the 54,000 U.S. service members killed during the Korean War conflict. The layout of the paving stones and the juniper plants found between them pay homage to the National Korean War Memorial in Washington DC.
The six plantings behind the monument represent the six KIA from Melrose.
The nine bushes planted around the monument represent the nine men from Melrose who perished during the conflict home and abroad.
The benches not only represent the years of the Korean War, but also a response to comments at the spring veteran town hall meeting that this monument should have a place for reflection.
The "Freedom Is Not Free" expression found at the bottom of the stone also comes directly from the National Korean War Monument, a place where students and veterans from Operation Remember placed a wreath of remembrance on behalf of the city.
This dedication is truly a community effort.
* Operation Remember, a group of Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School students researched, raised funds and will help dedicate the memorial. Residents assisted in this effort by supporting the Melrose Veterans Open, the Chili Chowder Fest, several Liberty Bell Fundraisers, the annual MVMMS raffle calendar and various private donations from veterans and supporters around the city
* The Melrose Veterans Advisory Board and the Melrose Veterans Memory Project volunteered time, money and love to ensure the accuracy of the stone, the picture quality and the meaning behind the memorial
* John Gately, who has personal connections to Korean War veterans, donated the inscription and engraving costs
* The Melrose DPW worked tirelessly to place, enhance and beautify the area surrounding the monument
* The City of Melrose raised the additional funds necessary to complete the project
* Rock of Ages completed the monument work
* John Gregario, a local contractor, found and donated the pavers which lead up to the monument
And countless more! A tremendous effort with a beautiful result.