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FRAMINGHAM – A group of Veterans and City leaders, who are seeking to renovate and update Framingham Veterans Memorial Park, held a touch-a-truck event at the parking lot of the Framingham District Court today, June 12.

The event attracted scores of family to the park, located just off Concord Street.

Framingham Fire trucks, police cruisers and motorcycles, National Guard vehicles, DPW trucks, and a Framingham Parks & Recreation Polaris Ranger NorthStar All Terrain Vehicle were available for kids to explore. Attendees were also asked to visit the park next to the courthouse, and make donations to the renovations project.

The goal of the event was to bring community awareness to the Framingham Veterans Memorial Park, said said Saxonville resident Ricky Finlay, chair of the Framingham Disability Commission, which donated funds to the restoration project.

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

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The park was last updated in 1985

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.

Part of the restoration is to add “additional plaques to honor wars” after Vietnam by Veterans Day 2021, said Framingham Police Lt. Robert 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.

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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.

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.

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Petroni Media Company photos

By editor

Susan Petroni is the former editor for SOURCE. She is the founder of the former news site, which as of May 1, 2023, is now a self-publishing community bulletin board. The website no longer has a journalist but a webmaster.