CARIBOU, Maine — After working diligently for the past four years to develop the Veterans’ Memorial on the triangular lot between Main, Lyndon and Nylander streets where the iconic soldier statue rests — improvements are under way.
The first of three major improvements, the park’s sign was installed earlier this month by the dedicated members of the Veterans’ Memorial Park Association. The second improvement — constructing a sturdy wall around the base of the iconic statue — is currently in progress. With Reno Corriveau at the groundwork’s helm, VMPA members are hopeful that the two improvements will be ready to greet those marching in the Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 27.
“The statue should have a nice, new base,” said VMPA Board Member Philip McDonough. “We may not have green grass, but the base will be there.”
A timeframe for the third park improvement — a garden in the patriotic shape of a star — will be formalized once additional funding is obtained.
Since the inception of the group in 2009, members of the VMPA have been busy since 2009 planning and fundraising — but the new park’s story started before than, back to the day when it was called the Monument Park.
A story written in the Aroostook Republican back in 2011 stated that it was Caribou’s Carroll St. Peter, a retired military veteran, who first started thinking about the need for something like a memorial park — a place where veterans and their families could visit; where community members, families and guests to the area could honor, respect, remember and be educated.
Finding like-minded individuals who shared his vision, the Veterans Memorial Park Association was formed.
On Oct. 12, 2011 during a regular meeting of the Caribou City Council, then-president of the VMPA presented Kenneth Murchison, Caribou’s Mmayor, with a crisp $1 bill — the agreed payment for the parcel of land now known as Veterans’ Memorial Park.
As stated in that 2011 news article, “The mission of the group is to foster fraternal, patriotic, historical and educational needs for the citizens of Aroostook County. The association and the park will foster true patriotism and shall extend to all the feelings of freedom and liberty.”
With improvements under way at the park, heads have been once more turning toward the park and its iconic Civil War statue just in time for Memorial Day.
Having completed one project and working toward the completion of another this week, the group has been pretty busy and doesn’t currently have any fundraisers in place — but keep your ears open, as the group will need to again dig deep in order to properly create the park’s future Star Garden.
Those wishing to contribute toward the park or those requesting additional information are encouraged to contact Board Member Cuppy Johndro through e-mail at redcuppy@hotmail.com.
Current VMPA board members include Johndro, McDonough, Cynthia Harvey, Lester Dubois, Dave Ohlquist, Doug Michaud and John Wallace; anyone interested is invited to join the group when they meet every third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Caribou VFW.
