With the idea of a Battlefield Cross in Central Park, a place where children play, some people are weary about it. The statue would feature a bronze sculpture of combat boots, an M-16 rifle, dogtags and a helmet.
The Battlefield Cross represents those who perished in the war, but it also honors and memorializes the fallen heros. Usage of the fallen soldier memorial dates back to the Civil War as a way to identify the soldier’s body. In recent years, it is a way for those still fighting to grieve over a comrade without attending the funeral back in the United States.
Ron Nevorski, a former Marine, stated, “We didn’t fight this war with sticks and stones. We had to use weapons and that won our freedom.”
Some parents didn’t like the fact that a gun would be in the park where they take their children to play.
“If people are worried about their kids seeing a gun, take away their video games and take away their TVs. Don’t let them hunt, and don’t teach them to protect themselves.” Nevorski added, “These guys, these fallen heros, have given everything for our freedom.”
Other parents thought that it was a great idea because it honored the fallen and they’d be able to explain why it was there to their children, and that the world wasn’t perfect.
Joe Bishop, a Milford resident who fought in the Korean Conflict for five years, said, “We come down here to honor those veterans who didn’t make it back. This is a very fitting monument for that purpose.
About 300 members of the community showed up at the Milford Civic Center where the Milford Village Council meeting was being held. The room filled with veterans in uniform and others about 45 minutes before the meeting was supposed to start, causing an overflow in the hallway outside the room.
Bear Hall, a Milford resident and veteran, and founder and chairman of the Friends of American Veterans, said, “It tells our history, our sacrifice, our determination to keep our country safe.” This is a powerful message considering everything that our country has been through.
“To deny the statue is to deny the truth about war, to deny our history and to deny our children the opportunity to ask meaningful questions as it relates to both.” Hall added, “Let’s not forget: All gave some, some gave all.”
The memorial in Central Park would be finalized with the addition of the Battlefield Cross. The current memorial consists of seven flagpoles and a smaller replica of the Washington Monument.
Hall added, “It’s the ultimate sacrifice, somebody gave their life to protect and serve this country and they should be remembered. They should never be forgotten.”
At the Council Meeting on April 20th, the monument’s proposal was passed.