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Veterans Memorial coming to Hyattsville

For years, residents in Hyattsville have had to visit veterans memorials in other cities across Prince George's County because the city does not have one. However, that is about to change. Plans are in motion to bring the Hyattsville Veterans Memorial to a popular trail off Route 1.

For years, residents in Hyattsville have had to visit veterans memorials in other cities across Prince George's County because the city does not have one. However, that is about to change. Plans are in motion to bring the Hyattsville Veterans Memorial to a popular trail off Route 1.

"It's about time," said Vietnam Veteran Nicolas Mychajuluk about the project that recently gained enough support to move forward.

"Hyattsville should have something to honor veterans and military personnel," Mychaljuluk elaborated.

WUSA9 caught up with Mychajuluk along the Northwest Branch Trail of the Anacostia River in the Gateway Arts District, where the memorial will be installed. He is looking forward to the project that will thank the city’s veterans, both alive and deceased, who have served in all branches of the military.

"It's all very personal," he said. "For me this will mean a convenient place to come to reflect."

The memorial will transform the retaining wall of an abandoned pumping station into a backdrop for an environmentally-sensitive sculpture, according to the Hyattsville Community Development Corporation (HCDC), a non-profit dedicated to revitalizing and sustaining the community. The memorial will be surrounded by lush trees, flowers and shrubs. The project took years to get enough support because some residents thought it would memorialize war, but that view has changed.

"Veterans are often forgotten in the community [so are] their needs when they come home," said Stuart Eisenberg, who serves as Executive Director of the HCDC, a sponsor of the project. "They've been shocked, they need healing."

Eisenberg, who gave WUSA9 a tour of the site while explaining the vision, said there is a lot of excitement about the site that will be a place of contemplative space and commemoration for the city's veterans.

Right now, the project is in its early stages. The HCDC has been reaching out to local veteran groups, government agencies and the community to get feedback on two design proposals by local artist, Becky Borlan.

The project will be completed in two phases: design and install, then landscaping and amenities.

Eisenberg said there will be space for ceremonies, solar panel up-lighting and benches. The first phase is expected to cost around $75,000 and be completed by the end of Fall 2018. The second phase could cost between $50,000 and $75,000 and will be finished by Spring 2019. So far, $40,000 has been raised.

Cities like Landover Hills, Riverdale Park, Brentwood and College Park already have veterans memorials.

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