ORANGE — Traveling throughout town, residents can find 11 different bronze markers dedicated to the men from the Town of Orange who lost their lives while fighting in World War I .
With local donations and assistance from the American Legion Post 172, the memorials recently were refurbished as part of a project completed by the Trustees of the Soldiers Memorials Committee. Two markers were replaced that were previously missing.
“The freedom we have is not free — somebody somewhere has worked or paid the price to get the freedom that we have,” said committee member James Cornwell. “And to me our collective objective is to make sure that the people from the town of Orange recognize those that have contributed to the freedom that we enjoy.”
Cornwell said the committee maintains the veterans’ memorials located all over town. After World War I, the original markers were placed as near as possible to spots in town where each man who died during his service passed during their daily life in Orange. Commander John Laughton of Orange’s American Legion said the markers were sandblasted and had a new protective sealant applied to them so they can last throughout the seasons.
The committee is currently working on another project to update the Orange Veterans Memorial Honor Roll Wall in Memorial Park near the downtown. Grant money from the Massachusetts Historical Commission will help fund the project, but Cornwell said it will be a community effort.
“We are trying to get other folks involved, like an ad hoc committee, to help us out,” he said.
The wall was dedicated on Memorial Day of 2010 and took many donations and years to finally complete. Cornwell said it will take time to research all the new names and organize the list of conflicts to complete the project.
“It is important to remember and honor our fallen heroes in the service, including all wars,” said Laughton. “It is an inspiration for our patriotism, and is actually our heritage of the United States.”
Donations may be sent to: Trustees of the Soldiers Memorials, 6 Prospect St., Orange, MA 01364.