The city plans a new display to honor active duty military personnel around the world.
Prompted by veteran Al Cianchetti, city councilors said this week they would like to see a professional display at City Hall that would showcase photographs of Bristol residents who are currently serving in the military.
“The concept is an excellent one,” said city Councilor Craig Minor.
Cianchetti said he wants to see “more than just a plain Jane bulletin board” to honor the men and women who are risking their lives for their country.
He said the display he envisions would “show support” for residents who are serving in the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard. It would include all active duty personnel, not just those serving in war zones.
Though Cianchetti offered to have a display made, the city’s Building Committee said that it ought to be a municipal responsibility – and it ought to be done right.
“Bristol can afford to spend a few dollars,” said Minor, to pay its respects to its citizens who are in uniform across the globe.
He said he would like to see something done with dignity.
“It’s probably not going to be cheap,” Minor said.
City Purchasing Agent Roger Rousseau said he would look into options for the display.
City Councilor Kevin McCauley, who chairs the committee, said he would like to see a cover of some sort on the display to help prevent vandalism.
Public Works Director Walter Veselka said that officials need to figure out who would maintain the board and who would figure out which pictures to display.
The city’s Veterans Committee will also weigh in soon with its thoughts on how to do it properly.
There is no easy way to find out the names or obtain pictures of Bristol people who are in the military.
An effort to send care packages with Bristol themes to military personnel depended mostly on friends and families providing the names and addresses. Chances are that pictures will have to come from the same sources.
McCauley said he’s looking forward to the new display.
“It’s off and running,” he said.
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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
19 comments:
Welcome to Bristol, where it's all military, all the time.
Is there a channel other than the 24 hour, 7 days a week Veterans Activity Channel that is playing at city hall these days?
Thats where the votes are.
Ask Artie, he knows.
I am a Veteran, I support Veterans.
What roils me is when they are being used.
Why did Mr. Ward go two whole years wihout having a Veterans Committee meeting, but now becomes a key proposer of more support for veterans. This was mentioned at a city council meeting.
Please explain.
...I know for a fact that Mr. Ward has always been a very strong supporter of Veterans and their rights. Perhaps the reason that you're suddenly hearing more about it is because he's the Mayornow. To suggest that he's using the Veterans is deplorable...you owe the man an apology...
.....if 12:02 wasn't such a biased jerk, he/she would have read the article and understood that it was the Building committee that reccomended this new board, not Mayor Ward - duh?
The Building Committee is Arts new committee.
No surprises there.
Art will continue to USE anything and everyone he can to get elected.
...and whiny malcontents "will continue to USE anything and everyone" in a feeble attempt to malign and berate the mayor with their vague innuendos and unfounded accusations in a manner befitting a guest of The Jerry Springer Show...bash-bash-bash...
And nothing has changed since Artie started bashing and being negative after he was no longer Deputy Mayor. He certainly reinforced the Springer mode.
He who lives by the sword dies by the sword.
Or, for the other half, what goes around comes around.
...First, you falsely accuse the man of "using" the veterans, then you make some vague accusation about "bashing and being negative"...Geez, what's next... you gonna accuse him of kicking puppies?
11:53
Apparently you weren't paying attentiion the past few years.
Ward beat up on his fellow democrats and the mayor without making any positive suggestions.
He just promoted controversy but changed his tune once elected.
...so now that he "changed his tune" and stopped "promoting controversy" you've decided to pick up the ball and run with it? Why don't you follow his good example and LET IT GO...Bristol will be much better off if we all pull together...
Pull together or pull Arties way??
My way or the highway sems to be his battle cry.
Gee...I thought his battle cry was "moving Bristol forward." I don't recall him ever saying "my way or the highway"...oh wait, I think you're confusing him with someone else???...
If you don't believe the "My way or the Highway" comment on Ward, Art Ward his honor the Mayor, just ask some of his fellow democrats who were, were, on the Town Committee.
...spoken like a true lap dog...make sure you get a cookie...good boy!
Maybe McCauley can put up pictures of all the little old ladies who don't shovel the snow from the hydrants in front of their house.
Back to story. The idea that is talked about in the artile is being worked on since August. It is being done by Friends of Soldiers. The same group that organized the Honoring of the Service Members in the Mum Parade. Please do not say it was Ward who did it. I did and I am not part of the Veterans Council. The Council did give a large hand when we asked for them to be a part of the Parade with us.
We are working on a Wall of Honor for our Service Members. You can see the request for pictures on the Legion Site and Veteranscouncilbtrc.org.
I am a veteran and do not like it when low lifers lie about the veterans.
For your information Art Ward has not been the Chairperson for the Veterans Council for years now. Your information is way out of date.
Go to veteranscouncilbtrc.org and learn who has been the chairperson for a number of years.
Let me clarify my comment" Art was the Chairperson for the City Council Veterans Committee.
In that role he did not hold any meetings, muxch to the chagrin of his fellow council members Nicastro and MCauley.
Sorry I wasn't as exact as I should have been.
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