Policy for Adding Veterans' Names to Memorial at Memorial Park

Consideration will be initiated by a letter from the military veteran, the veteran’s family, or from a resident on behalf of the veteran, to the Trustees of Trust Funds requesting recognition of the veteran’s service by inclusion of the veteran’s name on a plaque in the Memorial Park.  A former resident with continuing ties to the Town could be considered a resident for the purposes of this recommendation.

The following should be included with the letter:

• • A record or report of residency in Durham for a period of at least 6 years, together with an attestation of a sense of Durham being the veteran’s hometown.
  • Attached to the letter will be a copy of the veteran’s DD Form 214 (or in the case of an unrecoverable DD Form 214, an NA Form 13038 National Personnel Records Certification of Military Service) which will authenticate the veteran’s:
    • Term(s) of service to be at least 2 creditable years of service on active duty. Veterans discharged due to injury/illness/death in the line of duty will be considered eligible provided the other listed conditions are met.
    • Dates/places of service to align the veteran’s service with an appropriate memorial plaque.
    • Character of service as recognized by an honorable discharge.

Additional weight to the request could be:

• • Military Awards: The Purple Heart, or awards for valor, achievement, or merit.
  • Significant contributions to the Town’s governance or character.

Approval Process:

• The Trustees will receive, review, and recommend a final action on the request by the Town Council.
• The approval of any request will in no way be contingent upon a contribution to the Memorial Park Trust Fund.
• When a request is approved, the DPW will be notified to arrange placement of the veteran’s name on the appropriate plaque.