Decision to name school after Medal of Honor recipient will be decided tonight
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| Photo Credit: Morning Sentinel |
After months of debate, the school board of Benton Elementary School in Maine will decide if the school should be renamed after hometown Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. Brian L. Buker.
If board members follow the advice of residents at the recent Benton town meeting, the answer to the name change is “no.”
Kennebec County Sheriff Randall Liberty, an Army veteran who initiated the proposal, conceded on Wednesday that it’s unlikely the school board will go against the town meeting results. The proposed name change was defeated 45-22 in a secret-ballot vote.
Kennebec County Sheriff Randall Liberty, an Army veteran who initiated the proposal,
Liberty sees a silver lining even if the school isn’t renamed after Buker. The Legislature has renamed a local bridge after Buker, and his medals are now on display at the Lawrence High School library, which has also been renamed after Buker. In addition, the debate has resulted in news stories and widespread community discussion.
All that has helped honor Buker and his service, Liberty said.
“It’s been very beneficial,” he said. “Everyone in central Maine has had an opportunity to learn his story.” Morning Sentinel
See also: School opposes changing name to honor Vietnam MOH recipient
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