Lofty upgrades are on the way for Haverhill’s Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Mill Brook Park, with Ralph Basiliere, chairman of Mayor James J. Fiorentini’s Ad Hoc Commission to oversee enhancements, told city councilors.
Detailing progress at the Council’s June 18 meeting, Basiliere was joined by the project’s Haverhill-based architect Fred Clark to explain improvements that have taken place since the Commission relocated the monument from the foot of the Basiliere Bridge to Mill Brook Park on Mill Street near Plug’s Pond. In addition to having five diseased trees removed, new loam will be introduced, he said.
The park’s future vision includes making the space softer and more serene to allow for contemplation, as well as designing the location for guests to flow in a singular direction, simulating the path of the Vietnam War.
However, to make these future improvements possible, Basiliere appealed to the Haverhill populace for help. Basiliere was friendly but firm in his ask. “So I ask you tonight, every Hillie that will hear me or read my words, will you stand with me?” Basiliere said. “We can do it, if you stand with me Haverhill. You are my people.”
Donations for the memorial may be made by mailing a check to the Haverhill City Clerk’s Office, 4 Summer St., Haverhill, with “Vietnam Memorial Gift” in the memo line.