Newark Council Approves Veterans Memorial Chair

The Newark City Council approved the donation and installation of a permanent Chair of Honor during its May 19 meeting, moving forward a veteran-focused project proposed by the Newark Morning Rotary Club.

NEWARK — The Newark City Council approved the donation and installation of a permanent Chair of Honor during its May 19 meeting, moving forward a veteran-focused project proposed by the Newark Morning Rotary Club. The memorial will be installed outside City Hall to honor prisoners of war and those missing in action.

The Chair of Honor initiative includes a perpetually empty chair, a bronze plaque, and stanchions bearing military service symbols.

Parks and Recreation Director Paula Ennis introduced the proposal on behalf of the Newark Morning Rotary Club, explaining that the group had offered to fund and donate a permanent Chair of Honor to be installed outside the City Municipal Building. The chair would serve as a public tribute to prisoners of war and those missing in action, building on a similar indoor display the department previously set up for special events like the city’s Memorial Day ceremony.

She added that the Rotary had been working closely with her department to determine an appropriate location for the new outdoor display.

David Bunk of the Newark Morning Rotary Club presented the proposal for the Chair of Honor, emphasizing the Rotary’s dedication to veterans.

“Our primary focus in recent years has been to address the issues of military veterans,” Bunk said.

Bunk explained that the chair will be accompanied by military branch symbols, a plaque reading You Are Not Forgotten, and a chain to signify the chair must remain empty.

“If approved, our rotary club will donate the chair, the plaque, and all the components of the display.”

Unable to attend, Councilman Jason Lawhorn submitted remarks to be read during the meeting in support of the project:

“I strongly support the approval of the permanent chair of honor with plaque and stanchions in the city municipal parking lot. Newark Morning Rotary has demonstrated for decades their commitment to supporting the Newark community through volunteering, mentoring, funding, and directly working on projects to support our community. I have no doubt in their commitment and can testify that they have the infrastructure and long-term commitment within their organization to support this memorial for many years to come.”

The Rotary will cover all costs for installation and long-term maintenance.