As founder of the Veterans Memorial Park in Lewiston, and having served as a director of the L-A Veterans Council, and having brought this subject before the council, I feel the time is here for positive action, without further delay.

The next monument to be erected in the park is coming May 30. That gives ample time to prepare both monument No. 19 and a replica Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the form of a monument.

The landscaping in this beautiful park is a work of art, ready to receive both monuments, with ample space and more room for further projects as they may arise.

The time has arrived to do justice for both men and women who sacrificed so much for our freedom, and to the Gold Star Mothers, whose sons and daughters are the unknown, by erecting this replica Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the form of a monument. It will be an insurance policy that, once and for all, no one, now or ever, will be forgotten.

Once, while visiting the Veterans Park, I asked if anyone thought of the unknown soldiers when visiting the park, and the answer was “no.”

My goal is to see erected in the park a replica tomb in the form of a monument, with the words inscribed, as on the original, “Unknown but to God.”

As a public monument, there would be no restrictions on the use of the image or inscription.

I’m confident this will happen together.

Joseph Paradis, Lewiston