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Families can 'buy a brick' to remember a veteran in Newburyport

Daily News of Newburyport - 4/14/2017

April 13--NEWBURYPORT -- With the aura of Patriots Day in the air, leaders of local veterans organizations have relaunched an initiative so family members can "buy a brick" for deceased members of the military.

"This is a valuable program and many families have gotten involved," said Kevin Hunt, who heads the Office of Veterans Services. "We have placed engraved bricks recently, and will do so if others step forward to get involved."

Bricks are $100 each, and in the past year, 78 have been placed in the courtyard in the veterans park across from City Hall.

The park honors all military branches and those who served in uniform.

All revenue from the program goes to restore military memorials in Newburyport.

Rich Banks' family has supported the veterans park for many years.

"People can forget, so my family has been engaged in supporting the park with flags and other elements of the park," he said.

"This is a way to remember loved ones or perhaps someone you knew in the community," Banks said.

An engraved brick might read, "John Q. Smith, 1927-1998, U.S. Army Air Corps, WWII, Pacific."

Those interested in discussing the program can reach Hunt at 978-462-2201.

Dyke Hendrickson covers Newburyport. He can be reached at 978-961-3149 or a dhendrickson@newburportnews.com.

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(c)2017 The Daily News of Newburyport (Newburyport, Mass.)

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