SACO — A ceremony at Eastman Park Wednesday not only commemorated the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, but also marked the dedication of a new memorial recognizing veterans from World War II to the present.

The early afternoon ceremony was brief, and followed a ceremony held at Biddeford’s Veterans Memorial Park at the corners of Alfred and Pool streets. About a dozen veterans and local and state officials were in attendance.

The city obtained the small park, located at the junction of Main, Elm and North streets, through eminent domain in 1881. It is home to a monument called “Victory Crowning the Returned Soldier,” erected in 1907, and dedicated to the memory of those who served the country from 1775 to 1865.

In 1922, another monument was erected to honor those who served in World War I, and another in 1961, to honor those who served in the Spanish War and the Philippine Insurrection. A recent renovation of the park, which included the new memorial and landscaping, was spearheaded by Mayor Mark Johnston. Johnston began the project with money he received through an out-of-court settlement with the Maine Energy Recovery Company in Biddeford.

American Legion Owen-Davis Post 96 Commander James Harper presented Johnston a certificate of appreciation for the renovation of the park. He thanked Johnston and Johnston’s son, Nathan, who was the impetus behind the project.

Johnston, who was inaugurated as mayor earlier this week, thanked local businesses for their donations, and the city for its support to help bring the renovations to fruition.

Money from the settlement was designated to be used toward the community and when Johnston received it, he said he sat down with his family and discussed how it should be spent. Nathan, an Iraq war veteran, said one of the projects funded with the money should be the restoration of Eastman Park. He said Nathan commented on the condition of the park, and that veterans after World War I were not acknowledged.

Johnston said his son told him, “You send us to war, but you don’t recognize us after the fact.”

The city is gathering information and will make a plaque documenting the history of the park and the monuments.

Also on Wednesday, a remembrance ceremony for Pearl Harbor Day was held in Sanford at Number One Pond.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.