Forcier Bridge Dedication Highlights Veterans Day

November 8, 1979
…………………..………. Middleboro Gazette:- By Charlie Perry

Memorial services, a bridge dedication and parade will highlight the annual Veterans’ Day activities in Middleboro on Sunday.

This will make the second consecutive year that the town has held scheduled services on November 11 since the institution of the Monday holiday in this state several years ago.

A recent push by veterans and various veteran organizations within the state has returned the holiday to November 11, the date of the original armistice signing that ended World War 1 in 1918. These organizations are also urging the return of Memorial Day to May 30.

Memorial Services, starting at 10 a.m. at the Central Congregation Church on South Main street, will open the Veterans’ Day activities in Middleboro.

Following the church service, officials from the Simeon L. Nickerson American Legion Post 64 will hold dedication ceremonies at 1 p.m. for the new railroad bridge on Plymouth Street to be named in honor of Middleboro resident Sgt. Leo O. Forcier, who was killed in action during World War 2.

Present at the bridge dedication ceremony were the Rev. Charles F. Sousa, American Legion Post 64 Commander Harold E. Tower, Jr., former state Representative Stanley Barnicoat, Mrs. Anna Cote, widow of Sgt. Forcier, daughter Mrs. Ann Burns, Manuel Combra, Jr., of the Veterans Council, Sgt. Forcier’s brothers, Arthur and Wilfred. (See Forcier 12 December, 1945)
……………………………………………( Posted By Bob Lessard, Post 64 historian 2014)…………………………