Norton Goldstar Committee Nearing Halfway Point for Funding for Master Sgt. Gregory R. Trent Memorial

The Norton Gold Star Committee is on its way to reaching its goal of $75,000 for a memorial for Master Sergeant Gregory Trent.

Currently, selectman Robert Kimball said the group is at about $34,000.

Kimball said they raised tens of thousands of dollars at their last two fundraisers in Norton and at Wheaton College.

“We’re also trying to put together a motorcycle ride,” Kimball said.

 “That’ll be the next project for working on this fundraiser.”

Kimball said there will be an entrance fee for each rider, as well as a sponsorships for the riders.

“It works both ways,” he said. “Anyone who’s riding it like I will, will probably be reaching out to get sponsors on the trip to raise additional funds. If we can get 500 motorcycle riders at $10 a head, I mean that’s something that can generate the funds for us. With the addition of the sponsors, we can raise even more.”

Kimball said the committee will most likely host another silent auction, like the one they held at Wheaton, and it will include a raffle.

Recently, the Gold Star Committee has reached out to the Norton School system, asking students to donate a dollar for a gold star to commemorate their participation in bringing the memorial to life.

“It was pretty touching, an 8 year old girl realizing what he meant and what he did,” Novick said. “After she bought a ticket for the fundraising event she explained, it would mean something every time they pass it by.”

The group has set an ambitious deadline for the completetion of the project. They are planning to dedicate the memorial on Memorial Day of 2013, which is only 74 days away.

“We plan to dedicate the park on Memorial Day,” Kimball said. “We’re about two months out right now. The actual park is now under construction. We’re getting ready now to get the walkways ready.”

From the Gold Star Committee Web site:

The Norton Gold Star Committee was formed raise private funds to build a memorial to honor MSG Gregory R. Trent, a graduate of Norton High School and a long time Norton Resident who left Norton to serve his country as a member of the U.S. Army and ended up giving the ultimate sacrifice. Please see article below.

This memorial will also serve as a memorial if in the unfortunate event that Norton is to lose another fallen hero.