The names of the Salem National Guard members that were sent to combat overseas about 20 years ago will be coming off the windows of Salem City Hall. Councilman Frank Addison made the motion noting the names are currently peeling off and are in a ‘state of embarrassment’.
“It’s not an organized approach,” Addison said, “and that doesn’t really honor anybody except the names that are on the window. It’s time, if we’re going to continue doing that, we need to get it organized. Also, a city the size of Salem, we ought to be able to do something for everybody. The thing at the cemetery is very nice, but you don’t get to go on that until you’re dead.
Mayor Nic Farley agreed.
“I think if we’re going to have something, we need to make sure it’s kept up to date,” Farley said. “I think the original intent was to honor those that were deployed from the Salem Guard. If we want to have a larger discussion about serving anybody who’s serving in the military, let’s see what those costs are. We want to do it right, and we don’t want to leave something in disrepair.”
During public comment, Angel Molenhour told the council they should either honor all active veterans like her son who is currently overseas or not honor any specific person.
