DIXFIELD – Marcel Martineau has seen several area towns with memorials listing the names of armed services members who have fought in one of this country’s wars. He thought it was time Dixfield had one.
Martineau, a Vietnam-era veteran who served in the Marines and a past commander of the American Legion post in Dixfield, is spearheading an effort to have stones placed in front of the Veterans’ Memorial in Greenwood Cemetery dedicated to each of the 100 or so people who have served during a war.
He began thinking about the project about two years ago, and now the stones have begun to appear.
So far, two 1-by-2-foot gray granite stones have been placed in front of the large granite memorial. They are dedicated to Korean War veteran Durwood E. Knox and to World War II veteran Robert O. Dill Jr., who both served in the Army.
The stones are like the ones the military puts in the cemeteries for deceased veterans.
The planned memorial is for both living and deceased war veterans, Martineau said, and cost $100 each. George R. Perry Monuments of Peru will create and etch the monuments with each veteran’s name, rank, service branch, war or conflict, and dates of service.
Once a sufficient number of stones have been purchased and laid, Martineau said the effect will be that of a wall on the ground.
“We want to fill the area with as many stones as we can,” he said, adding, “Sons and daughters may want to remember their mother or father with a stone.”
He hopes to have dozens of stones placed by Memorial Day next year. At that time, Martineau said a dedication ceremony will be held. He also hopes to have flags representing each of the armed service branches erected at the site on Memorial Day.
Those interested in honoring a family member who was born in Dixfield or who was living in Dixfield at the time of their military service may call Martineau at 562-8236.
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