Orange trustees eye flagpole upgrades at 7 cemeteries, Memorial Park
The Orange Honor Roll Wall in Memorial Park. The Trustees of Soldiers’ Memorials are interested in expanding the Honor Roll Wall, which stops at the Vietnam War. Expansion would enable the listing of veterans that served in conflicts since American troops were withdrawn from Vietnam in 1973. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ
The Massachusetts Peace Statue and flagpoles in Memorial Park in the center of Orange. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ
The Orange Honor Roll Wall in Memorial Park. The Trustees of Soldiers’ Memorials are interested in expanding the Honor Roll Wall, which stops at the Vietnam War. Expansion would enable the listing of veterans that served in conflicts since American troops were withdrawn from Vietnam in 1973. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ
A veteran’s memorial in Holtshire Cemetery near Lake Mattawa in Orange. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ
The Massachusetts Peace Statue in Memorial Park in the center of Orange. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ
Memorial Park in the center of Orange. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ
A veteran’s memorial and a flagpole in Holtshire Cemetery near Lake Mattawa in Orange. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ
| Published: 02-01-2025 2:20 PM |
ORANGE — An elected committee responsible for the upkeep of the various veterans memorials in town has been invited to participate in the 2024 and 2025 rounds of grants from the Massachusetts Historical Commission.
The Trustees of Soldiers’ Memorials want to replace or upgrade the flagpoles in the town’s seven cemeteries along with the three in Memorial Park, and they hope the grants could cover nearly half the project’s $43,000 estimated cost, in the event that the grant funding is awarded to Orange. The goal for project completion is Memorial Day.
“It is important to remember the individuals who participated in the varied military actions that are the foundation of the freedom we all enjoy,” Michelle LeBlanc, a non-veteran trustee, wrote in an email.
She said the various flagpoles have problems ranging from the fraying of the hoisting ropes to issues with the base mounts. The Massachusetts Historical Commission grants would likely contribute $20,000, and the trustees would be responsible for the remaining portion.
The trustees’ budget is composed of donations and no tax money is included. LeBlanc said there has been financial support from American Legion Post 172 and local businesses such as Graverobbers Restoration.
The cost depends on the size and material the flagpoles are constructed with, and installation and rigging expenses are not included.
The trustees are also interested in expanding Memorial Park’s Orange Honor Roll Wall, which stops at the Vietnam War. Expansion would enable the listing of veterans that served in conflicts since American troops were withdrawn from Vietnam in 1973.
“There has been no definitive target date for completion due to the extremely variable circumstances that go into such a date,” LeBlanc wrote in an email. She explained this project requires a great deal of time, labor and money.
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The trustees are working to obtain a list of all military veterans from Orange. Any resident who entered the military is eligible to have their name on the wall. They should contact any trustee and provide a copy of their DD214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) for verification. In addition to LeBlanc, the other trustees are Bruce St. John, Douglas McIntosh, Douglas Jillson and Paul Lyman.
Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120.
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