On Veterans Day, the town of Orleans did more than gather to say “thank you.” They officially unveiled a newly renovated Veterans Memorial Park—a project years in the making and built with countless local hands and hearts.
Original article:
Orleans Unveils New Veterans Memorial Park On Veterans Day – Cape Cod Chronicle
Table of Contents
- A Park Reborn in the Heart of Orleans
- A Community Effort, Years in the Making
- Designing a Place of Honor and Reflection
- Voices of the Veterans It Honors
- Why Spaces Like This Matter on Cape Cod
- Visiting Veterans Memorial Park
- A Final Thought
A Park Reborn in the Heart of Orleans
Orleans has long marked Veterans Day with a ceremony on the Village Green, but this year’s gathering carried extra meaning. The event began, as always, on the Green—then moved across the street to Veterans Memorial Park, where the community officially celebrated its renewed and reimagined tribute to local service members.
During the ceremony, a ribbon was cut to mark the park’s reopening, and a new American flag was raised at the center of the park by Officer Matthew Smith of the Orleans Police Department and Eryn Meinhardt-Donohoe of the Orleans Fire Department.
For many who attended, it wasn’t just about a new look—it was about what the space represents. One local Vietnam veteran, Mon Cochran, called the result “fantastic” and a testament to the town and everyone who helped make it possible.
A Community Effort, Years in the Making
The renovation of Veterans Memorial Park didn’t happen overnight. Plans have been in the works for several years, guided by the town’s veterans committee and supported by local residents, professionals, and officials who wanted to create a space worthy of the people it honors.
Kevin Higgins, chair of the veterans committee, has been a key leader in the project. During the ceremony, he reminded everyone that they were standing “amongst patriots, as well as the family members and friends of those who have nobly served our nation,” underscoring that the park is as much for families and neighbors as it is for veterans themselves.
From fundraising and planning to design and construction, this was truly a community effort—with Orleans coming together to make sure its gratitude is visible, lasting, and accessible to all.
Designing a Place of Honor and Reflection
The renewed park blends history, beauty, and thoughtful design. Renovations include:
- Refurbished monuments honoring different conflicts
- Brick patios and walkways featuring inscribed memorial bricks
- Granite benches that invite visitors to sit, pause, and reflect
- Updated utilities and infrastructure to support events and accessibility
A refurbished World War I memorial has already been set in place, along with a memorial recognizing the Civil War. Additional monuments are planned to honor those who served in later conflicts, including the Korean War and the Vietnam War, creating a space that tells a fuller story of service across generations.
Local architect David Hawk, who designed the renovated park, and Russ Kleekamp of EDR, the project manager, both spoke at the ceremony. Hawk reflected on how military service shaped his younger brother’s life—giving him focus, purpose, confidence, compassion, and direction—and connected that personal experience to why places like this matter.
Voices of the Veterans It Honors
Beyond the bricks and benches, what makes Veterans Memorial Park special are the people whose stories it holds.
Committee member Andrew deLory, who served as a non-combatant photojournalist in Vietnam, shared that he’s especially looking forward to the new Vietnam memorial that will include engraved names of local veterans.
For him—and many others—this project is partly about “making up for” the lack of respect and recognition that so many Vietnam veterans felt when they returned home. Helping to create “the most respectful and honorable memorial possible” has become a powerful, personal mission.
Comments like these remind us that a park is never just a park. It’s a place where stories live, where past sacrifices meet present-day gratitude.
Why Spaces Like This Matter on Cape Cod
On Cape Cod, we talk a lot about community—neighbors helping neighbors, local businesses supporting local causes, and people showing up for one another in big and small ways.
Veterans Memorial Park in Orleans is a clear, physical example of that spirit:
- It’s a gathering place for ceremonies, tributes, and quiet moments of reflection.
- It’s a teaching space for younger generations, who can see names, dates, and memorials and ask questions.
- It’s a promise in stone and brick that we won’t forget the people behind the uniforms.
In a region where so much of life is shaped by the seasons, this is a year-round reminder that gratitude doesn’t have an expiration date.
Visiting Veterans Memorial Park
If you’re in or near Orleans, the renovated park is absolutely worth a visit:
- Take a walk through the new brick walkways.
- Read the inscriptions on the memorial bricks.
- Sit on a granite bench and take a quiet moment for yourself, your loved ones, or someone you know who served.
You don’t need a special event or a holiday to stop by. The park is there for everyday visits, quick pauses on a busy afternoon, or a peaceful stop before or after time on Main Street or the Village Green.
A Final Thought
The unveiling of the new Veterans Memorial Park is a beautiful reminder of what happens when a community comes together with a shared purpose: to honor, remember, and say “thank you” in a way that will last for generations.
Whether you live in Orleans, elsewhere on the Cape, or you’re just passing through, this small corner of town tells a big story—one of service, sacrifice, and a community that truly shows up for its veterans.
In that same spirit of honoring and supporting our local heroes, our EXIT Cape Realty offices are currently collecting new adult socks and travel-size toiletries to benefit the Cape Cod & Islands Veterans Outreach Center. If you’d like to help, you can drop donations at any of our offices during business hours—every small act of kindness makes a difference. 💙🇺🇸
If you’re thinking about making Orleans or another Cape Cod town your home, spaces like this are part of what you’re buying into: not just a property, but a community that cares.