Veterans Memorial
The Wayland Veterans Memorial honors Wayland residents and all others who have served in the United States military for their enduring gift to each of us: FREEDOM. A “Celebration of Freedom” is the theme of the memorial.
The Wayland Veterans Memorial is intended to help people better appreciate the gift of freedom by 1) providing a serene place for contemplation and meditation, 2) by helping to recall and understand past sacrifices and the costs of freedom, and 3) by educating the current and future generations of their responsibility to defend their freedoms and to pass them on undiminished.
If you would like to contribute to the Veterans Memorial Fund, please send your tax-deductible donation to:
Wayland Veterans Memorial Fund
c/o Wayland Town Treasurer
Town Building
41 Cochituate Road
Wayland MA, 01778
The Wayland Veterans Memorial has these essential parts:
The MONUMENT. A granite sculpture that provides an artistic inspiration on the campus of the Wayland Town Building and nearby to playing areas frequented by young people. The Memorial was dedicated on July 3, 2005.
The BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE. This historic library quality book honors and memorializes past and present veterans, has brief backgrounds of those who died while serving, related vignettes of other veterans, recognition of some Wayland residents who have contributed to American history in important ways, displays pictures of existing historic markers and memorials (their location and significance) and much more. Copies of the book, while still available, can be purchased at the Wayland Town Clerk's Office, Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, for only $25, or you can download an order form here.
The FREEDOM PRIZE. An annual endowed award to a Wayland student(s) for the entry judged "Best" on the topic of freedom. The competition is conducted by the Wayland High School Social Studies Department. An independent panel of citizens selects the winner from a group of unidentified finalist papers. The award, which began in 2006, is presented on Memorial Day at the Lakeview Cemetery Ceremony. A list of the previous winners is online here.
THE JOURNEY CONTINUES. Our efforts to obtain a Veterans Memorial began in 2000 and a formal committee was authorized by the Town a year later. A memorial fund for private donations was established in 2002. The Town Meeting authorized a site in front of the Town Building in 2003 and approved of the design in 2004. A contract was entered with the Wearly Monument Company of Muncie, Indiana, to provide and install the granite. Groundbreaking took place in October and concrete for the foundation was poured in November 2004. Construction was completed and the Memorial was dedicated in a ceremony on July 3, 2005. The Freedom Prize, first awarded in 2006, continues annually. With our mission essentially complete, the Veterans Memorial Committee will transfer responsibility for administration of the Freedom Prize and addition of names to the monument, should that become necessary, to the Public Ceremonies Committee.
The citizens and businesses of Wayland and elsewhere have been very generous with monetary donations of about $100,000 and in kind services of about the same value. In particular, John Haffey, a Wayland contractor, has generously donated manpower and materials for the foundation that serves as a base for the monument. Other local businesses supporting the memorial include Twin Pines Landscaping for the installation of the walkway granite, pavers and granite markers for bronze plaques, and Stonegate Gardens for landscaping design, plant selection, and installation. Both of these companies have made substantial donations as part of their described tasks.