Randolph War Memorial
In May 2012, residents Art and Kathy Forand did some "spring cleaning" and donated their time and materials to clean, plant and landscape the Memorial in time for Memorial Day.
This beautiful Memorial was dedicated on Veterans Day, November 11, 2008 at 11 AM. About 100 people gathered for the 20 minute ceremony on the brisk 43 degree morning. Shirley Hanley, wife of veteran Peter Hanley, led the ceremonies which included comments from Shirley, a VFW rep., the local Boy Scout Troop 672, Rep. Steven Hanley and Taps. ? sang the National Anthem.
The monument was a dream of Peter Hanley who formed the Randolph Veterans Memorial Committee which was made up of local people, mainly World War II veterans such as Everett (Red) Mansir; Bill Shea; Arthur Benner, and Paul Curran. The goal of the committee was to raise $20,000 for the memorial which is on the grounds of the Town Office on Kinderhook Street. Their first contribution came from Goggins IGA here in Randolph, for $2000. The Goggin family sent nine family members to serve in World War II. Their goal was reached during the summer of 2008.
Randolph has a proud tradition of service where both men and women have answered the call of duty. During World War II, Randolph, the smallest town in Maine, with a population of less then 1900, sent 225 of its boys to serve the country. 73 served in Korea and 93 in Vietnam. More served in Desert Storm and Iraq.
The committee worked with Collette Monuments of Sabattus, which has made many beautiful monuments in Maine. Coles Transportation Museum, as part of their Veterans Bench Project, donated one of their benches to the memorial.
Ownership of the Memorial was transferred to the Town by a Town Meeting vote in July 2011.
To be eligible to be on the actual wall, a person has to have been 1) enlisted from Randolph, or 2) enlisted from Randolph, serving during a recognized war or police action, or 3) enlisted from Randolph and serving in a recognized war or police action.
The Town continues to sell memorial blocks to be set in the ground around the monument. A 4 inch by 8 inch block costs $100; and 8 inch by 8 inch block costs $250, and a 12 inch by 12 inch block costs $500. An Order Form is attached at the bottom of this page. Bereavement donations are welcomed, as well. An inscription does not have to honor a veteran, just any loved one you wish, such as “IN MEMORY OF DAVID CLARK, BROTHER” or “DAVID CLARK, LOVING FATHER”.
Those wishing to make a donation or to purchase a block can send a check payable to the Town of Randolph, 121 Kinderhook Street, Randolph, Maine, 04346.
For more information, call the Town Office at 207/582-5808 or email address is townofrandolph@roadrunner.com
