Baker-Polito Administration Awards Renovation Grant for Vietnam Veterans Memorial

From Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs:

Lieutenant Gov. Karyn Polito and Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Matthew Beaton, on Thursday, June 23, announced a grant of $200,000 toward the renovation of the Massachusetts Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Worcester.

“Honoring all Massachusetts’ veterans and providing our veterans the services and opportunities they need to succeed and live long, healthy lives is of utmost importance to our administration,” said Gov. Charlie Baker. “The renovation to the Massachusetts Vietnam Veterans Memorial will ensure that the site where we pay homage to the service and sacrifice of our veterans remains in pristine condition.”

“Men and women from across Massachusetts bravely served our country in Vietnam, and thousands paid the ultimate sacrifice,” said Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito. “Recognizing their service is important to this administration, and we are pleased to be able to announce funding to restore this memorial as a tribute to our veterans.”

The grant to the City of Worcester will fund critical infrastructure improvements to the Massachusetts Vietnam Veterans Memorial located in Green Hill Park in Worcester. The renovation will include pond-edge repairs and enhancements, drainage improvements, lighting and electrical upgrades, reconstruction of the Memorial retaining wall and improved handicap accessibility.

“We are proud to provide funds through our Gateway City Parks Program to help restore and improve access to this important tribute to those who served in Vietnam,” said EEA Secretary Matthew Beaton. “Green Hill Park is a wonderful place for the Memorial– a peaceful, beautiful setting in which to recognize the sacrifices they made on behalf of our nation.”

“The restoration of this monument signifies the Commonwealth’s commitment to never forget the sacrifice these individuals have made,” said Secretary of Veterans’ Services Francisco Ureña. “Our hope is that the family members and loved ones of these brave individuals take solace and comfort in the knowledge that these individuals will forever be remembered.”

The Massachusetts Vietnam Veterans Memorial, dedicated in June 2002, is situated on four acres and includes a pond and walking paths. The Memorial contains three sections, the Place of Flags, Place of Words and Place of Names, and is intended to be a dignified, quiet, natural location for reflection and learning.

The grant, funded through the Environmental Bond Bill, is awarded through EEA’s Gateway City Parks Program. The program funds the creation or restoration of significant urban parks and trails in the 26 Gateway Cities.

“It’s a privilege to have the statewide Vietnam Veterans Memorial here in Worcester,” said State Senate Majority Leader Harriette L. Chandler (D-Worcester). “I thank the administration for their support as well as the support that the Worcester Delegation has received in securing funding in the Legislature. It’s our goal to continue maintenance of the statewide memorial to ensure that it does justice to the brave men and women it honors.”

“The Massachusetts Vietnam Veterans Memorial holds a very special place in the hearts and souls of many Vietnam Veterans, not only in Worcester County, but throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,” said State Rep. James O’Day (D-West Boylston). “Every Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day hundreds of veterans, family and friends come to the memorial to pay their respects to those who served valiantly during the war and those who paid the supreme sacrifice. The awarding of this Gateway City Parks grant will ensure that those who sacrificed so much will never be forgotten. I would like to applaud the Legislature and the Baker administration for seeing to it that the Vietnam Memorial continues to be a memorial that we can all be proud of.”

“Worcester is a place that values and honors its veterans, and this year we’ve put a significant effort into making sure our public spaces reflect that with a recently constructed new World War II Memorial and soon-to-be rededicated restored Civil War Monument,” said City Manager Edward M. Augustus, Jr. “Worcester is extremely proud to be home of the state’s Vietnam Memorial, and we’re grateful to the Baker-Polito Administration for providing funds that will ensure it remains a fitting tribute to those across the Commonwealth who served.”