PEABODY — Strong storm winds knocked over the Christmas tree in front of Peabody City Hall overnight Monday causing it to crash into the World War II Memorial.
Like a row of dominoes, the monument was then knocked to the ground, breaking into several pieces upon impact.
“We are grateful that nobody was hurt in the City Hall mishap or anywhere else in Peabody during the storm,” said Peabody Mayor Ted Bettencourt in a statement released Tuesday. “We have already ordered a new memorial and we intend to have it back in its place by the Spring.”
Peabody Veteran Service Officer Steve Patten views the accident as a blessing in disguise.
“We had recently added a veteran’s name to the monument, and it was not in the right order alphabetically,” said Patten. “This will give us a chance to get a new monument with the names in the right order.”
In addition, Patten added, there was a Peabody local killed at the Battle of Iwo Jima and buried in the Puritan Yard Cemetery Peabody, whose name was accidentally omitted from the memorial.
“It slipped through the cracks and he was left off the monument,” said Patten. “So now we’re going to add his name and have a big ceremony for Memorial Day and they’re all going to be in the right order. So it really will all work out for the best, and order will be restored to the universe.”
The order for a new memorial has been placed with O’Rourke Brothers Memorials, who will take measurements for the new monument and will send the order to Vermont for production shortly.
Because of COVID-related manufacturing delays, the new memorial will not arrive until April or May, just in time for Memorial Day.
The original monument, commissioned in the ’70s, has stood in that spot for nearly 40 years.
The memorials commemorating fallen soldiers from the Korean and Vietnam wars which stand next to the World War II monument were untouched by the falling tree.
The Christmas tree was planted last week in the town’s annual tradition.
Patten didn’t expect that there would be any changes to the way the tree was planted and secured. “It was a freak accident,” he said. “I don’t think they can do too much different. It was just dumb luck.”
The town hopes to be able to replace the tree in time for Christmas, though they may need some help with decorations.
“Unfortunately,” wrote Bettencourt, “many of the beautiful ornaments that adorned the tree were destroyed when it crashed to the ground. If you and your family can spare an ornament or two from your collection, please bring it to City Hall and place it in the special drop box located in the front of the building.”
“The storm knocked down our monument but not our spirits,” said Patten.
