MEXICO — In about two weeks, local residents have contributed $395 of the $475 needed to erect a monument in honor of Pfc. Buddy McLain.
McLain, a former Mexico resident and Mountain Valley High School graduate, was killed in action in Afghanistan on Nov. 29.
Town Manager John Madigan said donations for the black and gray granite memorial came from members of the Rumford American Legion, Rumford Veterans of Foreign Wars, a group of Meroby Elementary School employees, municipal employees, and residents.
The collection containers are still available at the town office to receive donations.
Plans are for the monument to be placed with the main black and gray monument that honors all Mexico veterans who have been killed in action during the past few wars.
The new stone will be dedicated during Memorial Day services in May at the Mexico Greens, located on River Road, or Route 2 just east of the village.
Selectmen had agreed at a December board meeting to use contingency funds to buy the stone. However, veterans groups and others immediately went to work to raise the money.
Madigan and police Chief James Theriault were among the first to make donations. Both are veterans of the Vietnam War.
Comments are no longer available on this story