Memorial Wall planned in Dorchester
Dorchester Park will be getting a new attraction in 2023 as the American Legion Post 517 is sponsoring a Veterans Memorial Wall that is in the early stages of planning.
The wall will be placed on the northwest end of the park and will be eight feet long and seven feet high. The wall will be made out of black polished granite and will don the names of 512 veterans who have served and donors of the wall. It will contain two matching benches that will provide seating while people view the names on the wall and will have a clear view of Dorchester Lake.
Two flag poles and bronze statues featuring a helmet and rifle will also be on display near the wall.
The wall will face north and south with one end containing the names of veterans from the Civil War and Spanish American War. The other end will contain names of those who made donations to the construction of the wall.
Three columns of lettering per individual will be engraved on the wall. The first column will consist of the person’s last name, first name and middle initial. The second will show the branch of service the individual served in as well as the years served and their rank. The third column will show the war or conflict that the veteran served in or other important info like Korean War, Purple Heart, KIA, etc.
Construction on the wall is anticipated to begin in 2023 and the dedication for the wall will take place in 2024.
To be eligible to be placed on the wall, you or someone you sponsor must be from the Dorchester area with an honorable discharge or someone who is on active duty with two years of service, or be someone who served and had ancestors who were from the Dorchester area.
Jim Jantsch of the Dorchester American Legion said they are still looking for more names to add to the wall. An initial goal of 384 names will be added alphabetically to the wall. He said the initial support for the project has been plentiful.
“It’s amazing the response we’re getting,” Jantsch said. For more information or to find out how to get you or a loved one’s name on the wall, call Jantsch at 715-654-5432 or send an email to jantsch@charter.net.
