Living tribute blooms at Hatten Park

NEW LONDON — A vision planted in the soil of Hatten Park last autumn has officially sprung to life, offering community members a vibrant, perennial reminder of military sacrifice and national heritage.
On Tuesday, May 12, the American Legion Norris Spencer Post 263 Auxiliary hosted a formal dedication ceremony for its newly adopted flowerbeds at the Werner Allen entrance of Hatten Park.
The event marked the culmination of a project that began on October 15, 2025, when Auxiliary members and local volunteers gathered to plant 250 bulbs.
The timing of the blooms coincides perfectly with an upcoming national milestone, as the garden was specifically designed to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
The site, which the Auxiliary maintains through the city’s Adopt-a-Bed/Adopt-a-Garden program, has been under the group’s stewardship since spring 2024. The fall planting was deliberately orchestrated to establish a permanent living tribute that would naturalize and return to full bloom each May.

The mid-May dedication drew regional attention, with television crews on-site alongside Kay Grosskopf, President of the American Legion Auxiliary District 8, and local organizers.
Lynne Finch, American Legion Auxiliary Treasurer and Garden Committee Chair, delivered the dedication address, noting the immense history tied to the nation’s veterans.
“Since 1776, more than 42 million patriots have served in our military,” Finch said. “Each adds a story to our nation’s history—stories about life-changing experiences that most of us can never understand or fully appreciate, encompassing combat, camaraderie, sacrifice, and loss.”
Finch highlighted the ongoing plight of the roughly 80,000 American service personnel who remain missing in action, emphasizing that symbols like the POW/MIA flag ensure these individuals are never forgotten. She noted that today’s active-duty military comprises 1.4 million personnel—less than one percent of the total United States population.
“Our country is truly blessed to know these brave men and women are here for us today and for every tomorrow,” Finch stated, encouraging citizens to find ways to thank veterans that go beyond simple words.
The visual centerpiece of the garden—the tightly clustered, bell-shaped blue grape hyacinths captured in bloom this week—carries a deliberate patriotic symbolism.
“They stand for the ‘Old Glory Blue’ in our flag, which represents vigilance, perseverance, and justice,” Finch explained during the ceremony. “These flowers multiply and return every year to remind us that freedom is never free.”
As the perennial border naturalizes and expands in the coming seasons, organizers hope the entrance to Hatten Park will serve as a permanent point of reflection for residents and travelers alike.
“When you drive by or visit the park in springtime, take a moment to appreciate the never-ending commitment of our military in keeping our country free,” Finch concluded.
“We hereby dedicate this garden to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and to honor all who have served to maintain our freedom and those who will serve in the future.”