War memorial needs better location

Recently there was a town hearing for a war memorial as proposed by a War Memorial Committee. There was the required legal ads to the general public, but I am unsure if everyone saw it, so I am hoping this letter will make everyone better aware of the current proposal.

The parklike design is delightful and will be a rich tribute to all of Harwinton’s veterans. It was designed by Harwinton native Mark Arigoni of Milone & MacBroom engineering consultants. Mark laid the memorial out in a pattern of monuments which encourages the viewer to spend time in quiet contemplation and study. The only error I see with this plan is the committee’s wish to place it at the dangerous intersection of South Road and Route 4 (Burlington Road), crowding it onto the existing green space. Their reasoning is that the Memorial Day Parade ends there and the existing monument is there, so “everyone will see it”. Really? Folks negotiating the curves on the hill will see something is there, but they will never see enough to appreciate the entire memorial.

The most appropriate place for this beautiful memorial is on land near the town offices, library, and sports complex. There would be sufficient quiet, room to move around, or to sit in contemplation, and much more human traffic to enjoy it! This town complex is being used by so many more families than it was even ten years ago. An added advantage is that our elementary students would be only walking distance for field trips to learn about our veterans, just as they visit the one room school house. Most importantly, visitors would be in a safter physical environment.

Committee cochair Gary Schaff and others at the hearing seemed to think that this ambitious monument has to be located on the parade route. I suggest a compromise which would result in more opportunities to remember our veterans: leave a small, simple monument on the existing green, along with a welldesigned flag pole suitable for the parade ending speeches, then plan a family oriented picnic/event following the parade at this new beautiful memorial in the town office complex. People already enjoy sports, movies, trunk or treat and Christmas cookies there. They will come and spend time at the memorial in the area familiar to today’s youth as the Center of Harwinton activities.

Thank you to the War Memorial Committee and especially to Mark Arigoni for the design that will receive rave reviews. Now let’s place that design in an appropriate safe, quiet location, easy for all to access.

Jane Pallokat, Harwinton