The Wayland Veterans Memorial Committee in collaboration with the Wayland Cultural Council has prepared a special photo and story exhibit to Celebrate our Freedom, and honor both our Veterans and Military on active duty. This exhibit will be on display from May 18 through July 5, 2010, in the Town Building, 1st floor front. Aspecial community reception will be held on May 27, 6 to 8 pm. A few of our Veterans will comment briefly about their personal military experiences. In addition, The Bill Ladoulis Trio will provide live military music, and light refreshments will be served.
The exhibit consists of ten large photo and story panels displaying over 100 photos and sketches. The exhibit focus is on Wayland. These panels include: brief excerpts of veterans personal stories from the Book of Remembrance and from other local veterans; the Town's November 11 Veterans Day and May 31 Memorial Day Ceremonies; two panels by famous local military artists (WWII – Edward Brodnoy and Vietnam – George Dergalis); a panel recognizing Wayland citizens patriotic community work; a panel showing Wayland contributions during the long Cold War; a panel showing the military's worldwide humanitarian aid and assistance to over 100 countries; a large town map showing historical markers and cemeteries in Wayland; two award winning essays on the subject: What is a Veteran; and the actual American flag flown over Baghdad in 2005, and returned for the dedication of the Wayland Veterans Memorial on July 5th of that year.
Jim Burkley, Chairman of the Wayland Veterans Memorial Committee and exhibit designer, said "the purpose of the exhibit is to heighten citizen awareness of our everyday freedoms and those whose sacrifices made them possible." This display utilizes over a hundred photos with captions and introductory text to inform the viewer about Wayland's commitment to freedom. (Wayland), as part of the original Sudbury Militia," Burkley said, " Are proud to have been part of one of the largest Militias to march off to Concord to defend our liberties and forge a new kind of government, one by the people for the people." The exhibit's professional quality was produced by the high level graphic skills of Alfred Berry, Wayland Town Surveyor and US Navy Veteran.
The Wayland Veterans Memorial Committee was established by the Town Meetingin 2001 to investigate the feasibility of creating a memorial to recognize and honor our veterans. John Dyer was named the first chairman by the Board of Selectmen. He was joined by eight other veterans skilled in managing programs, designing art forms , and construction know-how. From the Selectmen's simple instructions "to investigate the feasibility for a memorial" this team designed, managed, and erected the Veterans Memorial in front of the town building, created and published the Book of Remembrance, and established an annual $500 Freedom Prize essay contest with the Social Sciences Department at Wayland High School. In parallel with creating these physical products the Veterans Memorial Committee raised all of the necessary funds entirely through generous public donations.
Many people and organizations throughout Massachusetts recognize Wayland's appreciation for our veterans and their service to our country which places the town among the premier patriotic communities in the State.
