Forest Park's new living memorial honors veterans

The city of Springfield unveiling a new memorial in Forest Park. And 22 News reporter Claire Overton joins us live in studio after learning about who it's dedicated to. Ciara and Christina, Springfield Mayor Dominic Sarno unveiling a new living memorial dedicated to veterans and Purple Heart recipients. Every day we should honor our military personnel and our veterans. The city of Springfield alongside veterans and the community unveiling a brand new a living memorial in Forest Park. We have thousands of people come through this beautiful majestic Forest Park. They can pay homage and come by and pay their respects. But maybe even to younger people that don't realize, maybe they might stop and read some of the things there. Congressman Richard Neal saying sometimes memorials or monuments may just become part of daily life. But this one is different. We tend to walk by or run by monuments and sometimes unless there's a particularly designated moment we might not give full meaning to what it is we've just witnessed. And here I think because again it's a living memorial it'll cause people to pause, walk around and reflect. The entire memorial is fully funded through community donors showing just how much support Western Massachusetts has for those who served our country. And the first one I'd like to honor is right here. He put so much time into this. Hours and hours and hours coordinating with people going around asking for donations. Asking everyone to participate and help. Very successful. Al, thank you. The materials, labor and time was all donated by organizations across both Western Massachusetts and Connecticut. Ensuring the living memorial became what was envisioned. A place people can stop by to honor veterans, Purple Heart recipients and those who made the ultimate sacrifice. And if you're in Forest Park and want to go see the living memorial it is close to the Monkey House in Forest Park and it's across the street from the outfield of the baseball field. Working for you, Claire Overton, 22 News.