The city of Gallup, New Mexico is acquiring a Vietnam War-era cannon from the U.S. Army for display in its downtown near the historic Route 66.
The Gallup Independent reports the city council of Gallup recently approved more than than $12,000 to pay the fees to acquire an M102 Howitzer cannon.
City officials want to place it in front of the Veterans Memorial pillars in the Downtown Courthouse Plaza.
Mayor Jackie McKinney says the cannon is “a good-looking piece of equipment.”
Councilor Fran Palochak, who is a veteran of the Vietnam War, thanked McKinney for wanting to bring such a memorial to honor veterans.
But Gallup resident JoAnn Benenati says she worried the cannon was more of a celebration of war rather than an homage to veterans.
