LYNNFIELD — House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) secured $50,000 in state funding to put toward the construction of a new war memorial in Lynnfield and state Sen. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn) said he will work with Jones to get the project completed.
The funding was given preliminary approval as part of a consolidated amendment to the House of Representatives’ proposed fiscal year 2022 state budget.
The earmark still needs approval from the Senate as well as Gov. Charlie Baker’s signature before the money can be released to the town.
Crighton said he will be filing an amendment for $50,000 as well.
Jones said the planned war memorial will provide a tribute that will honor all of Lynnfield’s residents who have served the United States.
“We must never forget the service and sacrifices that have been made by our veterans and their families,” Jones said. “I’m pleased to be able to assist the town with the funding of this important project, and will continue to advocate for its inclusion in the final budget.”
A War Memorial Committee proposed constructing a new monument on the green space adjacent to South Common Street, across from the Town Common and near the town’s existing veterans memorial.
As a part of the proposal, a “Memorial Maintenance Endowment Fund” will be established to help maintain and preserve the memorial.
The committee said it envisions building a teaching memorial, which will help educate residents and visitors about Lynnfield’s history and the sacrifices residents have gone through during their years in the service.
The memorial will include the country’s major wars from the Revolutionary War to present day and will consist of the names of local men and women who served.
The memorial will also be designed to allow for additional service members’ names to be added in the future.
The FY22 budget now moves to the Senate and the spending proposal is expected to be debated the week of May 24.
