Lynn veterans monument to be rededicated

LYNN – For the second time in as many years, local veterans and elected officials gather this Saturday at noon to honor West Lynn men and women who served the country.Saturday’s dedication at Purdon Avenue and Farrell Road, also known as Feld Square, honors Veterans Village and the West Lynn housing built after World War II for returning veterans.The city has rebuilt the traffic island in the square and the Lynn Veterans Council is donating a plaque honoring veterans.”Marine Corps veteran John Donoghue lives across from the monument and has been pretty involved in the whole thing,” said city Veterans Director Michael Sweeney.Sweeney said Donoghue helped landscape the square and ensures an American flag flies on it.”Between John and the other neighbors, the Lynn Veterans Council and the city, it’s really worked out great,” Sweeney said.Local veterans dedicated the corner of Curwin Circle and Holyoke Street last September to honor West Lynn residents John Evans and James J. Hazard. Evans, 22, was killed on Feb. 2, 1968 when his Marine engineers unit came under heavy fire. Hazard was killed in Vietnam on May 20, 1970 at the age of 20.Brothers and Vietnam veterans Richard and Lawrence Donahue worked with Sweeney and the Housing Authority and Neighborhood Development to dedicate the corner where they hung out with Hazard and Evans in memory of the pair.For the Donahues, the 2008 dedication was also a chance to memorialize Evans’ respect for his father’s service in World War I.The English High School Junior Marine Corps Reserve Officer Training Corps and local singer Brian Landry will perform at Saturday’s dedication.