The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection may erect, or permit to be erected, upon any state park, ground or reservation any suitable monument, memorial or memorial tablet in commemoration of the services of any soldier, sailor or marine, or any organization of soldiers, sailors or marines, who participated in any war or engagement in which any of the forces of the United States were engaged. Said commissioner may assume the care and maintenance of any public monument offered to him, or any public monument which is not under the care of any commission or department of the state, if he deems such action advisable, and the expense of such care and maintenance shall be paid by the state.