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Newington’s mobile Veterans Memorial makes Labor Day appearance, returning Columbus Day weekend

Hartford Courant - 9/16/2021

Newington’s mobile Veterans Memorial appeared at Newington Center Green, near the corner of Main and Cedar Streets for Labor Day weekend, and will return on Columbus Day weekend, at the Company #1 Firehouse.

Newington Parks and Recreation Superintendent Bill DeMaio said that the memorial was created as a fundraiser for the town’s fireworks celebration.

Hinding Sports Builders donated $5,000 to build the memorial, approximately two years ago. People (not limited to Newington residents) can pay $30 to have a veteran’s name added to the memorial, and $15 to renew that each year. The servicemen and women can also be active military personnel.

The memorial has photos of the Iwo Jima Memorial as well as Arlington National Cemetery, and has more than 120 names.

The memorial is displayed at town functions and events, and at certain locations on some holidays.

“We bring it to the Memorial Day parade, we bring it to schools on Veterans Day, and bring it to Veterans Day services,” DeMaio said. “It’s very nice. It’s moving and people love it. It’s really a nice tribute to all veterans, in all places and from all branches.”

DeMaio said the memorial will be updated each year, adding new names.

“I’d like to do it every year, and that way we can keep adding names and it can grow,” DeMaio said.

At the town’s annual extravaganza last July, the monument was unveiled as a band played a medley of the six songs representing the six branches of the armed services and asked people who were veterans (or families thereof) to stand when their branch’s song was played.

“It was very moving,” DeMaio said, adding that he has received reactions from the public after every appearance of the memorial.

“People want to know how to get their loved ones on there,” DeMaio said, adding that at the extravaganza event, many relatives took photos next to service members’ names.

“It’s a gigantic hit. People love it,” he said.

New names for next year’s version of the monument will be taken starting in January.

For more information, contact the Newington Parks and Recreation Department, at www.newingtonct.gov.

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