I suspect that many of the folks who travel on South 6th Street past the F-4C Phantom jet fighter are unaware that the fenced-in site was dedicated as a memorial to all Central Iowa Veterans in October 1993, and that the aircraft belongs to the U.S. Air Force Museum. It is on loan to American Legion Post 46.

During the past 24 years, as I have driven past the now beautifully repainted fighter, I have often remembered Murray Borden and Scott Wilson, who were my squadron mates in our early F-4 days and also in Vietnam. We were three of the four First Lieutenant front seat F-4 pilots in the squadron, and they both were killed on bombing missions in North Vietnam in 1966. There’s a good likelihood that Murray and Scotty also flew No. 507 on missions up North. Although they were not from central Iowa, they are always in my mind.

I was very surprised to see the large, red concrete “M” that has recently been placed in front of the F-4, inside the fence. I assume that it’s to promote Marshalltown and its schools, as I’ve seen a similar one at Miller Middle School. I’m all in favor of promoting Marshalltown, but I don’t believe that it should be inside the fence. This is a memorial, not a display area.

I’ve been told that the Legion members voted to place the donated “M” inside the fence to prevent vandalism. If so, then the voting members must have forgotten that the enclosed grounds are a dedicated veterans memorial.

Several local veterans have expressed their displeasure to me, and I hope others will also voice their concerns. The American Legion members should reconsider their ill-advised decision and move the “M” to a spot outside the fence, such as immediately south of the memorial, along South 6th Street.