Disabled veterans to hold 'Forget-Me- Not' fund-raiser
By Nathaniel Weixel Contributing Writer

Marlborough - Mayor Nancy Stevens kicked off the city's "Forget Me Not" week for disabled veterans Aug. 13 at a press conference at City Hall.

Stevens presented the attending members of the Marlborough chapter of Disabled American Veterans (DAV) with a proclamation, officially recognizing the week and applauding the veterans for their continued eff orts to raise money.

The DAV will be selling Forget-Me-Nots at various locations around the city beginning Monday Aug. 20 and continuing through Monday Sept. 3. Senior Vice Commander John Manning of the DAV's Marlborough chapter said veterans will have donation boxes at CVS, Wal-Mart and the Bolton Street branch of St. Mary's Credit Union.

Manning said there is no price for the Forget-Me-Nots. Instead, the price is whatever people feel like donating.

"If people give a penny, we'll give them a flower … If they give $100, we'll give them a flower," Manning said.

All proceeds from the sales will go to hospitals in the region that care for disabled veterans. This is unusual, Manning said, because when some chapters have drives, they only donate a portion of the proceeds.

Manning hopes the mayor's recognition of Forget-Me-Not week, which he said has been occurring for "at least 45 years," will make other disabled veterans aware of the DAV and increase its membership.

"It's only a small group of people that can join, not like other veterans," Manning said. "Hopefully they will see this and see what we do."

Adjutant William Higgins noted that the collection cans, which are usually decorated with images of soldiers in combat, have been updated.

"It used to be a doughboy, but … young people don't know what a doughboy is anymore," Manning said. "There's also a woman on it. Good to see it updated with the times."