This petition serves to save the Fitch Home For Soldiers Parade Ground. In 1864 with the blessing of President Abraham Lincoln, the Fitch Home for Soldiers was established to serve war veterans and their orphans. In 1982, this parade ground was dedicated with a monument and intended to remain open land forever. Now the Darien Housing Authority will destroy this land to pave a road and a parking lot and move the monument to a different location. Paving over this land is unnecessary. This petition serves as a voice for the community to show we care about preserving this land.

1. Request the Darien Housing Authority change its redevelopment plan at Allen O'Neill to eliminate creating a new road; keep the monument where it is currently located on the 2/3 acre parcel (lots 41, 42 & 43); and utlize the existing road as the entry/exit point; 

2. Preserve Darien green space and a historical site, the nation's first home for veterans, as intended in 1982 dedication; DHA founders Dick King and Bob Fatherly intended this parcel to remain open land forever; 

3. Save two dozen mature trees that are marked to be destroyed;

4. Request the Town recognize this land as a historical site;

5. Beautification of the existing monument and park

6. Save Darien's history.

We the undersigned request that the Fitch Home for Soldiers Parade Ground be preserved and honored:

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