Location, Design Selected for Memorial Park

The Gold Star Committee has selected a parcel of land located on 32 W. Main Street for a park to be dedicated to Master Sergeant Gregory Trent.

"We were looking for a place where people could just sit and relax," said Gold Star Committee member Robert Kimball.

Trent died from wounds he sustained in Afghanistan Wednesday, Aug. 8 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Maryland. He was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group in Fort Bragg, N.C. His unit was attacked in Baktabad, according to the Department of Defense. Trent, a Norton High School graduate, was 38 when he died. The last soldier from Norton who died in battle was from World War II.

The park, which will be next to CVS, will include a walkway leading to a flagpole, a flower garden at the base of the pole, three benches, a railing and monument.

“God forbid we have to, but we have it designed so that if we ever have to we can add another.”

The Gold Star Committee hopes to have the park dedicated on Memorial Day with Trent’s family present.

The budget for construction of the park is $75,000. The majority of the money came from a town gift account. The rest is being sought through donations, which can be sent to Norton Town Hall ℅ Norton Gold Star Committee. Checks should be made payable to Town of Norton/MSG Trent Account. Donations are tax deductable.

If there is any money leftover, a monument dedicated to soldiers who fought in the middle east will be erected.

The Gold Star Committee is also currently seeking volunteers. If interested, email NortonGSC@gmail.com. To donate money, send checks payable to Town of Norton/MSG Trent Account and mail to Norton Town Hall, ℅ Norton Gold Star Committee, 70 E. Main St., Norton 02766.

For more information visit the memorial park website or Facebook page.