NEWBURY — The committee of veterans in charge of the construction of the Veterans Memorial at Newbury, a town-approved memorial to honor all American veterans of all wars, is seeking donations to help pay for the project.

Voters approved $35,000 for the project in March, but the project is entering its fundraising and construction stages and contributions are being accepted to help offset the construction costs, said veteran Paul Hague, chairman of the memorial committee.

The committee is now taking orders from residents of surrounding towns who would like to donate funds or purchase a memorial brick paver or granite bench in honor of a loved one.

“We hope that many folks will take this opportunity to recognize our veterans by supporting what will be a contemplative and beautiful memorial,” Hague said.

The memorial is scheduled to be completed and dedicated during the town’s Old Home Day on July 14, he said.

The committee was charged by the Board of Selectmen a little more than three years ago with creating a memorial, said Hague, who served with the U.S. Marine Corps.

The committee’s mission in building the monument is to make “a statement of gratitude to the men and women who have served or are now serving in the military. Consequently it will honor those from any generation who have answered the call whether or not they are Newbury residents,” Hague said in a press release.

Numerous sites were considered for the memorial, Hague said. The committee and selectmen agreed to place the memorial along Route 103, just south of the town offices and library complex.

Newbury veterans, with the help of the town, paid for design work. Bids and budgets were solicited and a proposal was selected, he said.

The memorial’s design features three walkways made of memorial bricks leading to a circular center area, he said. The upper half has pie-shaped slabs, each leading to a granite post representing a branch of service. Benches will be placed between the service posts, and the lower half will contain memorial granite pavers.

Those wishing to donate or otherwise contribute to the memorial can pick up order forms at the town offices, or forms can be requested by writing to Hague at pauljhague@gmail.com.

- - - - - - - -

Dan Seufert may be reached at dseufert@newstote.com.