Efforts Under Way To Remember Leominster Soldier

Friends and family of a Leominster soldier killed in Iraq are working to make sure he is never forgotten.

The city council on Monday will consider a petition to name a piece of city-owned land along the Nashua River the Johnny Ro Veterans Memorial Park after Army Pfc. Jonathan Roberge.

The 22-year-old Roberge died in combat in Iraq in February 2009.

Organizers plan to erect a bust or statue of Roberge and install flagpoles, benches and a canoe launch.

Roberge's father, John, tells The Sentinel & Enterprise that they are also trying to acquire a decommissioned army tank for the site as a reminder of his son's duty on a tank crew.

His father says he wants people to remember what his son stood for.