North Canaan - More names for memorial

NORTH CANAAN — The Doughboy Monument, erected decades ago in the center of town to honor soldiers from wars as long ago as World War I, will soon bear the names of individuals who have served in later conflicts.

The Selectmen are seeking the names of North Canaan natives who served in the Vietnam War and later federally recognized conflicts, and will engrave the names on two granite stones that will be erected on either side of the monument base.

Selectman Charlie Perotti,  is heading the project.

The Doughboy statue was not part of original plans for the memorial; it was added a bit later, in 1928.

Its formal name is “Spirit of the American Doughboy.†The design is by sculptor Ernest Moore Viquesney. The design was so popular that as many as 140 statues were erected in 38 states following World War I.

In North Canaan, the curbed stone base was later extended to form a circular area. It includes built-in benches.

Granite stones will be in place but the project will not be completed in time for Memorial Day, and the service that takes place at the Doughboy.

To be added are servicepeople from:

• The Persian Gulf Era, from Aug. 2, 1990, to a date to be determined by a future presidential proclamation. This includes operations Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) and Iraqi Freedom.

• Lebanon, July 1, 1958, to Nov. 29, 1958 and Sept. 29, 1982, to March 30, 1984.

• Grenada, Oct. 25, 1983, to  Dec. 15, 1983.

• Panama, Dec. 20, 1989, to Jan. 31, 1990.

• And Operation Ernest Will, the escorting of Kuwaiti oil tankers in the Persian Gulf, July 24, 1987, to Aug. 1, 1990.

Information may be sent to the selectmen’s office at 100 Pease St., North Canaan, CT 06018 or to NCSelectman@snet.net.