SWAMPSCOTT — After raising $12,932 from the War Memorial Scholarship Fund Committee’s “Buy a brick” fundraiser, the committee is inviting community members to the dedication of the Town’s new brick memorial installation outside Town Hall.
The event is slated to be held on Nov. 15 at 11 a.m.
Committee member Jodi Watts expressed that the support from the community “means so much,” noting that the committee received over 100 orders from families around town, with more continuing to trickle in.
“We raised over $12,000, though the committee is still getting and taking orders. This batch that we’re taking orders for now will be installed in the spring,” she said.
Watts explained that there was a shift in where the brick installation will ultimately be placed. At first, it was going to be located by the back door leading into Town Hall, but after further analysis, the best place to install the memorial was by the “Town Hall Elihu Thomson Administration Building” sign that sits on the outside.
By moving the location, it gave the committee the potential to expand the memorial with more donated bricks in the future.
Community members had the opportunity to purchase a regular 4×4 brick for $100 or a larger-sized one for $250.
“I know it will be a special moment for many, because they may have lost a family member, or someone close to them. … And the support from the community just puts a smile on my face. It’s going to be very emotional,” Watts said.
“The committee hopes to get more orders. People should know that they don’t have to be a veteran, or have a family member that was a veteran, in order to buy a brick. … It can be a family name or just for a loved one,” Watts added.
The event is also scheduled to have several speakers lined up. Director of the Department of Public Works Gino Cresta, Dave Emerton, a Vietnam veteran, and committee members Duncan and Douglas Maitland will be featured appearances.
