Medal of Honor Heritage Center proponents have cast the opposition to their plan to shave an edge off Coolidge Park for their center as a contest over patriotism, support of veterans and a debate about war itself. This is ridiculous. The controversy is not whether to implement this museum, which all seem to support, myself included. Rather the debate is over where. Naturally, there is great public resentment when a treasured public amenity such as Coolidge Park is offered for this or any other bright idea.
I for one utterly oppose the use of any sliver of open public space for any reason whatsoever, no matter how worthy the cause. Development of our red-hot riverfront is slowly chipping away at what were once public view-sheds and in-fill greenspace; all will be paved soon enough. To squander any aspect of the existing park – which functions as Chattanooga’s front lawn – is inexcusable. The city/county have other properties to offer, and it’s an exceptionally poor excuse to take this particular, heavily used spot merely because names coincide.
I speak as a 21-year Army veteran, married to another, and the proud daughter of a WWII vet.
Lisa Lemsala
Praise of Trump right on the money