Husband & Wife Donate $5,000 To Install New Flag at Framingham Veterans Memorial Park

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FRAMINGHAM – Korean War Veteran Nick Paganella and his wife Pat have donated $5,000 to the Framingham Veterans Memorial Park project.

The couple donated the money for a new American flag at the park, located off Route 126 in Framingham, said the organizers of the project on their Facebook page.

An active, octogenarian, Paganella served in the Massachusetts National Guard for 25 years and the 7th Infantry Division in Korea.

Paganella currently serves served on the 7-member Framingham Veterans Council and is active with the Framingham VFW Post 929.

There is a campaign to raise $250,000 to renovate and update Framingham Veterans Memorial Park.

Located at the Musterfield on Concord Street, it was last updated in 1985, said Framingham Police Lt. Robert Downing, an Army Veteran.

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The City-owned park features a memorial by famed American sculptor Emilius R. Ciampa.

Erected in 1952, the sculpture features plaques dedicated to every war and conflict Framingham residents have participated in from the American Revolution to the Vietnam War.

Lt. Downing is working with a group of volunteers to update and beautify this memorial and the park.

Part of the restoration is to add “additional plaques to honor wars” after Vietnam by Veterans Day 2021.

The project also includes new flag poles, with lighting, including a new American Flag.

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“There will be a flag for each branch of the military, too — Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard, said Lt. Downing.

The project also includes new benches plus signage and story boards to document the history of Framingham’s Veterans.

The public can help with the project. There is a GoFundMe to make donations.

Personalized bricks can be purchased (6 by 9 inches with a message) at $150 each.

Sponsorships of the flagpoles and the 6 benches are also available.

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$5,000 for a flag pole.

$4,000 for the center benches

$3,000 for the walkway benches

The Framingham Disability Commission has donated $20,000 to the project.

Lt. Downing said the state has provided about a $20,000 grant.

All donations are tax deductible, thanks to the Framingham Police Association,  a 501(c)3 organization.

If you are interested in purchasing a brick, flag pole or bench, please contact Lt. Downing at 508-872-1212, ext. 4918.