Brighton Prepares to Construct New, 'More Respectful' Veterans Memorial

Local business owners and Brighton officials who will all play a part in bringing the new Brighton Veterans Memorial to life met Thursday afternoon to finalize plans and celebrate the community's accomplishment of raising enough money for the project.

From a forgotten spot covered in dirt, to a raised platform that became more of a resting place than memorial, the plaque honoring those who have served their country will finally find a new, more "respectful" home thanks to the efforts and contributions of the Brighton community.

"We all need to protect it," said Memorial designer Piet Lindhout. "It's sacred land over there... as a community we need to protect it and take care of it and it will be a great thing for Brighton."

Construction will begin on the "simple but elegant" design within the next few days with the group determined to have the memorial in place by Veterans Day.

"From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for what you are doing, for your efforts to make this happen," chairman of the Veterans Memorial Board Bryan Bradford told the group gathered at the Mill Pond. "There's a lot of veterans that didn't come home, there's a lot of them that didn't feel welcome and there were some who weren't welcome, so words cannot say thank you enough."

A re-dedication ceremony is planned for Nov. 9 with the ceremony taking place after the parade at 12:15 p.m.