The Haverhill Exchange Club has stepped up with $2,000 to replace some of the power tools, landscaping equipment and other items stolen late last month from Haverhill’s Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Mill Brook Park.
The Exchange Club’s Thea Tsagaris said the donation is an extension of the Haverhill Exchange Club’s efforts to recognize and support veterans and active-duty members through its Hometown Heroes program.
“We were saddened to hear of the recent theft at the Vietnam veterans park and wanted to help recoup some of the losses by donating funds from the program. It’s important to the Haverhill Exchange Club to preserve the visual reminder of the sacrifice and the ultimate sacrifices our veterans made for our country,” Tsagaris said.
Ralph T. Basiliere, chairman of the Vietnam Veterans Ad Hoc Memorial Committee, said he discovered the theft, which he valued at between $5,000 and $8,000. Items included a tool box weighing 600 pounds, an electric grinder and other power equipment, extension cords and 400 to 500 pounds of granite steps that were to be installed around the flagpole.
Basiliere said, “The Commission is grateful for such a wonderful partner. Haverhill Exchange is very good to Vietnam veterans.”