CARIBOU — Anyone who has driven down South Main Street has certainly noticed that the small parcel of land next to the Nylander Museum has undergone some serious changes this summer, thanks to the dedicated volunteers of the Veterans Memorial Park Association.
The park has been an ongoing crusade by members of the community and veterans of the community who would like an accessible place for veterans to be honored, to walk and to be able to remember their time in service while still alive.
Volunteers with the Veterans Memorial Park Association have been planning since 2009 and significant improvements began back in May, starting a string of additions with the initial removal of the old flower boxes in much need of repair. With their removal came a brand new base of the Civil War statue that has been standing since 1918. Volunteers arranged for the bottom part of the monument to be taken apart, and a sturdy new foundation was set on July 9. In addition to the new wall being constructed, the original bushes were replanted for a truly unique and updated aesthetic for the park.
Adding to the park’s head-turning appeal, a sign was placed at the site in June to show Caribou and the surroundcommunities how serious VMPA members are in their endeavors to make upgrades to honor all veterans of all wars — and veterans regardless of affiliation to any other group.
In late June an area of a star was excavated and stone was added to enhance this area, a brand new flag pole that the Association purchased with funds from previous fundraisers was raised. The group also took down a few trees, and cut branches off others that became diseased, or would block what was being done to better this area.
“By doing this it made a world of difference to the park,” explained VMPA Board Member Cuppy Johndro, “It can now be viewed from all angles and directions.”
Other plans are in the works for a monument that resembles a wall, which will have all five branches of the military represented in brass plates attached to the wall. Johndro also stated that a small granite stone with the POW/ MIA plate will also be located in the park.
Future plans are also in the works for other things but for now, VMPA members say they’re just happy to get what they have off the ground to enhance the park for Caribou and for veterans.
“Our vision and concept is to honor the memory of all United States military veterans, from all military branches and provide a place for their families and friends to reflect and thank those who served, who are serving or who will serve,” said Philip McDonough, VMPA co-chair.
The group has upcoming fundraisers in the works to help assist with the future purchase of the wall, but they are looking for community donations to help offset fund-raising efforts.
Johndro reminds that donations will not be overlooked and even the smallest of donations will help.
On July 27, VMPA volunteers will have a dedication ceremony that just happens to coincide with the Korean Armistice Day. The armistice was signed on July 27, 1953, and was designed to “ensure a complete cessation of hostilities and of all acts of armed force in Korea until a final peaceful settlement is achieved.” The signed armistice established the Korean Demilitarized Zone.
“We invite the public to come out and walk the park, and see the upgrades,” Johndro said. “It’s touching to see the upgrades as we have been working on this for five years and it is finally taking shape. A ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. on [Saturday,] July 27th, and we hope that Caribou will come out and support this endeavor.”
“Caribou has always had a place for its veterans,” Johndro added, “and it was veterans coming together from different veterans groups to form this association.”
