State Monument to Iraq, Afghanistan War Dead to be Built in Middletown

has been chosen as the site of a statewide memorial to Connecticut service-members killed in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the city announced Monday.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, Mayor Daniel T. Drew, President Larry McHugh and representatives from American Legion Post 75 will join Connecticut Trees of Honor Memorial President Sue Martucci at the official announcement Tuesday at 4 p.m. in the park.

According to a press release sent by the city and the Connecticut Trees of Honor Memorial website, the memorial will include a tree dedicated to each of the fallen service-members planted alongside a personalized plaque. It will be paid for through private donations and volunteer work, and the city is planning to build a pond in the center of the memorial.

According to memorial group’s website, the memorial will also feature walkways, flower gardens, benches, flagpoles, statues and lighting, and will be a “serene, reflective area where families, friends and visitors can be reminded of the valiant courage, bravery and selfless sacrifice of our Connecticut men and women who gave their lives in military service to our country.”