ROCKINGHAM — A monument dedicated to the Confederate soldiers who fought and died in the Civil War has found a new home.
VFW Post 4203 has requested to take possession of the monument to be placed in Richmond County Veteran’s Memorial Park.
“We would be honored to display a monument that remembers the residents of our great county who answered the call to service and made the ultimate sacrifice,” Post Commander Eddie Dean and Senior Vice Commander Tim Grooms said in a letter to Rockingham City Manager Monty Crump.
“We have a spot in mind, and we will work with you on planning the move if needed.”
Crump made the executive decision last Tuesday at the City Council meeting to have the monument removed and stored after hearing from several residents, one of whom started a petition several months ago for its removal from Harrington Square, which is city property.
He said the city received “several credible offers from various persons and organizations to display the monument.”
After reviewing the offers and several discussions, Crump said the city agreed to let the VFW take possession.
“The main considerations in accepting the VFW Post 4203 offer was the fact that Richmond County Veterans Memorial Park is easily accessible, open to the public, has well maintained grounds and the monument will be in a place to offer remembrance in the context of the location and setting,” Crump said in an email. “The city currently is working on the arrangements and logistics to relocate the monument to Richmond County Veterans Memorial Park. The relocation will occur when those details are confirmed.”
The monument was erected in 1930 by the United Daughters of the Confederacy.
There had also been a counter petition to keep the monument in place.
Richmond County Veterans Memorial Park has monuments dedicated to other wars in which American soldiers have served and died.
