Veterans Memorial

World War II Memorial
Wakefield, Massachusetts

In late 2007, the Wakefield Board of Selectmen authorized the creation of a World War II Memorial Committee to oversee the replacement of the existing memorial on the upper Common.

The Cpl. Harry E. Nelson Post 63 dedicated the original monument on May 30, 1944. It was rebuilt and rededicated on May 30, 1985. Since then, the wooden monument has fallen into disrepair. The committee plans to remove the existing structure and erect a new granite memorial on the same site.

The new granite monument will have five granite monument tablets to honor and pay tribute to all Wakefield residents who served in the Armed Forces of the United States during World War II. The committee expects that the new monument will be built by Memorial Day 2011.

To build the new memorial, the World War II Memorial Committee has set a goal of $200,000. A fundraising campaign is underway which includes sponsorship opportunities and an opportunity to honor a former or current member of the Armed Forces, regardless of residency, by sponsoring a 12” x 12” or 6”x 12” engraved granite paver that will be part of a Walk of Remembrance at the memorial site.

The committee is excited about the progress thus far and is grateful to the many people who have already contributed to the project, whether financially or by volunteering their time. Please help support this worthwhile project that remembers those who fought to preserve the freedom we enjoy.

Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so by sending a check made payable to the Town of Wakefield World War II Memorial Fundto the Town of Wakefield, c/o Town Administrator, William J. Lee Town Hall, 1 Lafayette Street, Wakefield, MA 01880.