Swampscott Controversy Carved In Stone

[Colleen]

I would like peoples oppinion about the article in the front page of the Lynn Daily Item.
A stone was carved into a Soldier standing proud in full uniform. This is a dedication to all
of the men and woman supporting of great nation USA. I supported the monument and I
am very ashamed of some of the remarks made by the residents.



Statue of modern war heroes that was intended for Swampscott’s Monument Avenue. Courtesy photoSwampscott controversy carved in stone


By Debra Glidden / The Daily Item

SWAMPSCOTT - Thanks but no thanks is the message the town sent Tuesday to the donors of a $35,000 granite monument, but the donors on Wednesday said they were on the verge of rescinding the gift anyway.

Donors Debra and Mark Blain of Fireplace Mantles Etc. in Millbury said the war monument, which the selectmen voted to accept in July, has caused too much controversy in both Swampscott and Millbury.

In Swampscott, some residents said the monument appeared too commercial, promoted patriotism and was carved in China. Others in town objected because the soldier depicted carries a machine gun.

The Swampscott Historical Commission spoke out publicly against placing the monument in the Monument Avenue area because members said it did not keep with the character of the historic Olmstead district.

Supporters of the monument are just as passionate, including the families of those who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Veterans Agent James Schultz declined to comment on the controversy, but resident Agnes Raymond, grandmother of the late U. S. Army Specialist Jared Raymond, had plenty to say. Her grandson was the first Swampscott casualty when he was killed in Iraq in 2006. Agnes said the families of many Swampscott residents with family members serving in Iraq and Afghanistan and those who lost family members were in favor of the monument.

"How can anyone say a soldier holding a gun is ugly?" she asked. "I'm really upset with this decision. People say the monument doesn't look proper - I'll tell you what didn't look proper is Jared in a coffin."

The year after Jared Raymond died, the town lost Capt. Jennifer Harris, who was killed in Iraq when the helicopter she was piloting was shot down by enemy insurgents.

Agnes said she spoke to the Harris family and they were also in favor of the monument.
"It's so disappointing," she said. "We were told we'd be notified when it was being discussed but we didn't know about it (being discussed at the selectmen meeting Tuesday evening.)"

Mark Blain said he is confident the monument would find a good home, but he doesn't understand all the controversy in Swampscott and Millbury.

"We tried to honor our troops and do a honorable thing by awarding this monument," he said. "But people have turned it into something terrible. We're floored by that."

Mark Blain said criticism of the monument initially started in Millbury when an individual started rumors the monument was made in "Communist China."

"It's unfortunate the problem originated in the community we reside in," he said. "I couldn't believe the stuff coming out on the newspaper blogs (online comment forums) in Millbury and Swampscott. We're afraid of further publicity because of this. It's sad."

Mark Blain said some troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan have stopped by to view the monument and have their pictures taken with it, so he doesn't understand what all the controversy is about.

Debra Blain said someone started a rumor the monument was rejected by Millbury and then offered to Swampscott, which she said is not true.

"I would really like it known that Swampscott was the only town that was ever offered the gift," she said. "Swampscott was not receiving a cast off."

Debra Blain said the furor over the monument is disheartening.

"At 6 p.m. on Tuesday (just prior to the meeting where the selectmen rescinded its acceptance of the monument) we almost pulled it ourselves because of the controversy," she said. "As a friend of mine said, 'No good deed goes unpunished' and she's right."

Debra Blain added she received a letter from Schultz on Wednesday and he informed her many people he ran across in his day to day interactions liked the monument.

"It is my understanding it was a very vocal minority complaining," she said. "But unfortunately there is always a vocal minority that like to do nothing but complain."

Mark Blain added he understands why people are reluctant to give of themselves.

"It's sad," he said. "But when you try to do something good, people are attacked and criticized. People don't believe in each other anymore. It's like watching the Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny and Christmas disappear."