BLYTHEWOOD – The Blythewood Historical Society came before the Board of Architectural Review Monday night to request a Certificate of Appropriateness for a combat veterans memorial they propose to have constructed in front of the town hall.
Presenter Frankie McLean of the Historical Society said the 15-1/2 foot tall memorial is a joint project between the Historical Society and the Town of Blythewood.
Combat veterans from the six service branches would be listed on the memorial that would be surrounded by the flags of the six service branches and the American and state flags on a taller pole. The six service flags and poles could be taken down at times.
“I think the design is very good,” said Carolyn Lomas who is president of the Historical Society.
Frankie McLean said the group could not find a suitable place in the park to put the monument.
“This [in front of town hall] is a wonderful place since people and cars are driving here and will see it. So this is the location we have put forth,” Frankie McLean said.
To be eligible for their names on the monument, a veteran must have been born or raised in Blythewood and must have fought in combat on foreign soil.
Board member Paul Moscati made the motion to approve the request as submitted with the understanding that the 25-foot American and state flag would be lit at night and that the 16-foot flags be removable.
The motion passed unanimously with Chairman Jim McLean and Lomas, both members of both the Board of Architectural Review and the Historical Society, abstaining but not recusing themselves from the vote.
