To the Editor:

I received the local mailing recently of the War Memorial proposed to honor our Lynn Township war veterans.

It is a great concept, a perpetual reminder of sacrifices made for our liberties today and an inspirational teaching tool for our children and their children.

I’m glad they chose the township’s Ontelaunee Park in New Tripoli as the site.

I completed the attached form to nominate a local patriot: a New Tripolitan veteran of the War of 1812, buried with his wife on our farm.

The tombstone was delivered to us by a representative from the VA more than 30 years ago in their effort to honor vets wherever they may be buried.

I have one concern.

Will the proposed memorial be honoring the Barbary Wars?

I saw a sketch and it had a Stonehenge style design with each slab representing a different conflict.

Our village of New Tripoli was named in honor of the Marines victory in the United States first foreign war after the Revolution and we were victorious.

“ ... On the shores of Tripoli ...” It is known as The Barbary Wars.

Out of that conflict, between the United States and Morocco, along the North African coast, the United States sign her first treaty.

This is our oldest treaty and is still honored by both countries today.

At the time it was a save haven for American sailors and soldiers, if they could get there.

The hero of the Barbary Wars was Capt. Stephen Decatur, the namesake of our main street.

Most of our other village streets are named after United States presidents.

If he had not been killed, pundits at the time felt confident Decatur could have easily been elected president of our country.

If you like action thrillers, read about Stephen Decatur. It’s a blockbuster movie waiting to be made.

I appreciate and support the efforts to put this monument together and hope the very important Barbary Wars will be included.

William Klein

New Tripoli