The Newington Parks and Recreation Department is excited to be constructing a Mobile Veterans Memorial that will honor: Veterans, living and deceased, and Active Military service members.  The department is planning to work with Jeff Gambino of Image Ink to print 7 large 4 ft. by 8 ft. monument-style signs with 64 name spaces on each. Each name recognition space will have the military person’s name, rank, and branch of service as part of the display.  Anyone can purchase an honored spot, approximately 3 inches by 14 inches for only $30.00 each. The proceeds will go to both the fundraising groups that sell the name recognition spaces for the department and the patriotic fireworks fundraising campaign for the Life. Be in it. Extravaganza. “This is so exciting! This project will give organizations the opportunity to fundraise on their own by having their members sell veteran name recognition spaces,” said Bill DeMaio, Superintendent of the Newington Parks and Recreation Department. Organizations such as VFW’s, American Legion’s, Knights of Columbus, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and any other interested parties should call the Parks and Recreation office to obtain the forms to be filled out by their organization’s representative.  “Anyone can go to the Newington Parks and Recreation web site at www.newingtonct.gov/parksandrec and purchase the spaces directly,” said Joe Harvey, Recreation Program Specialist. The department was looking for a major public/private partner to underwrite the cost of constructing the memorial. Low and behold, the court crack sealant and resurfacing company Hinding Tennis of West Haven stepped forward to help the department make this dream a reality. “Tom Hinding is a generous, patriotic, and civic minded man,” said Don Woods, Chairman of the Newington Parks and Recreation Board.  This moving memorial can honor relatives, parents, friends, or loved ones.  It will be unveiled in left field of the Mill Pond Park Baseball diamond on July 18, 2020 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Life. Be in it. Extravaganza.  The memorial will then be driven up in front of the main stage for a spectacular veterans’ celebration. The band Dually Noted will play a Veteran’s Medley including songs from each of the five branches of the military (Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and Air Force). The audience will be asked to remain standing and clapping as their branch or their loved ones’ branch song is played. This will be tremendously moving.  The trailer will then go on to tour firehouses, veteran’s places of gathering, monuments, Veteran’s Day celebrations, and will also be part of the Memorial Day Parade.  The veteran name recognition spaces are selling rapidly, do not delay if you’re interested in purchasing one!  Organizations wishing to establish a fundraiser should contact the Parks and Recreation office immediately and register your commitment at 860-665-8666.  Remember, with Newington Parks and Recreation we are “Building a Strong Community!”