When you think of Mashpee, Massachusetts, you might picture sandy beaches or quaint Cape Cod charm. But this town has a special place that holds a deeper meaning, especially on Veterans’ Day. It’s called the Mashpee Community Park and Veterans Garden, not your average park.

A Park With a Purpose

This park isn’t just a pretty face, located at the corner of Main Street and Great Neck Road North, right across from Town Hall. It’s a place where history, community, and remembrance come together. The park, which used to be known as Collins Lot, got a makeover in 2015 and became the heart of Mashpee’s town activities.

More Than Just Green Grass

The Mashpee Community Park has all the usual park stuff – benches, trees, and grass. But it’s also packed with history. Take a stroll, and you’ll find:

• The Mashpee Archives Building
• A one-room schoolhouse from 1831 (talk about old school!)
• The Veterans Garden

And if you’re up for a short walk, you can check out other cool spots nearby, like the Attaquin House (built in 1849), Attaquin Park and Beach, and even a Pollinator Garden. It’s like a history buff’s dream come true, all within walking distance.

The Veterans Garden: Where Heroes Are Remembered

Now, let’s talk about the star of the show on Veterans’ Day – the Veterans Garden. This isn’t just any garden. It’s where Mashpee honors its brave men and women who served in the military.

The centerpiece of the Veterans Garden is the Circle of Honor. Here, you’ll find stones that tell the stories of Mashpee’s veterans who gave their lives for our country. And we’re not just talking about recent wars – these memorials go back to the Revolutionary War. That’s right, Mashpee has been sending its bravest to fight for freedom since before the United States was even a country!

A Tale of Two Flags

In the Veterans Garden, you’ll see two flags flying side by side—the Massachusetts state flag and the flag of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. This isn’t just for show. Many of Mashpee’s veterans over the years have been members of the Wampanoag Tribe. By flying both flags, the town honors all its heroes and recognizes the unique heritage of its Native American veterans.

The Revolutionary Surprise

Here’s some trivia that might surprise you: During the Revolutionary War, 57 men from Mashpee, most of them Wampanoag, fought for American independence. Sadly, 13 of them never made it back home. These brave souls are now honored in the Veterans Garden, their names etched in stone as a permanent reminder of their sacrifice.

From Wickham to Today

One of those Revolutionary War veterans was Isaac Wickham. In 1780, he left his wetu (a Wampanoag house) to fight for the new nation. Wickham served under the famous Marquis de Lafayette and even received a pension for his service—something rare for Native American soldiers at the time.

Fast forward to today, and the Veterans Garden continues to honor heroes from all of America’s wars. There are monuments for those who served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and more recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A Year-Round Tribute

While Veterans’ Day is the big event, the Mashpee Community Park and Veterans Garden isn’t a one-day wonder. Throughout the year, it hosts all sorts of events:

• Memorial Day ceremonies
• Open-air concerts in the gazebo (because who doesn’t love a good outdoor tune?)
• The Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony (perfect for getting into the festive spirit)

The Ongoing Mission

The work at the Veterans Garden is never really done. The Community Park Monument Committee is always researching to identify more Mashpee veterans from all of America’s wars. Their goal? To make sure every local hero gets their name on a monument.

Your Turn to Visit

So, next time you’re in Mashpee, why not detour to this special spot? Whether it’s Veterans’ Day or just a regular Tuesday, the Mashpee Community Park and Veterans Garden is always open for visitors. It’s a place to reflect, remember, and maybe learn a thing or two about the brave men and women who helped shape our nation.

And who knows? You might even bump into a local sharing stories about their great-great-grandfather who fought alongside Lafayette. In Mashpee, history isn’t just in books – it’s in the park, waiting for you to discover it.

Sources: mashpeemec.us, capenews.net
Header Image Source: mashpeemec.us