Rotary Flagpole Dedication Led By Commander Jerry Shaw

May 3, 1987

…………………………MIDDLEBORO :-Members of the Simeon L. Nickerson Post 64, American Legion,

conducted a flagpole dedication and a flag presentation at the Route 44 rotary/roundabout on

Sunday, May 3, 1987 at 1 p.m. Invited to the ceremony were state and town officials, as well

as,all member Posts of the Middleboro Veterans Council.

…………(Historian Note: The rotary circle was designated in 1962 by Governor John Volpe as the

Middleborough American Legion Memorial Park.)

……….. Due to the location of the rotary and the ceremony, the attendees and marchers paraded

across the highway from the Howard Johnson parking lot. Local police blocked the four roadways

entering the rotary to allow the parade to cross in safety.

………..Post 64 Commander Jerry Shaw opened the afternoon program with a “call to order.” An

invocation was given by Chaplain John Gilfoy.

…………In his presentation address, Commander Shaw informed, the more than 50 veterans and

citizens attending, that a portion of the ceremony was In Memorium to the Post’s late First

Commander Fletcher Clark, Jr.

………..Commander Shaw then introduced Past Commander Ernest Montrond, who read the history of

the flag and then dedicated the flag pole, which was purchased through funds of the Post’s

Memorial Association and individual donations.

………..Vietnam veteran Peter Cavanaugh was thanked for his out-of-pocket contribution of a set

of spotlights for night lighting the flag. Post 64 member Norman Diegoli was also recognized

for his efforts in engineering the placement of the pole.

………..The first flag to fly from the new pole was dedicated to the Town of Middleboro. And,

given the honor of raising the first flag was WW1 veteran and Post 64 member Tim Leary, 96. He

represented all his fellow WW1 veterans in the flag raising gesture.

…………As the flag was being raised, Walter Campbell, Jr., bugled “Call to the Colors.” The

Legion Honor Guard then fired a 21 gun salute. Campbell followed with “Taps.”

………..Commander Shaw thanked all the units participating in the ceremony. He stated, “It is our

hope and desire to help re-ignite the flame of patriotism now lying dormant in most of us. We

now have a concrete symbol that we may pass every day as a reminder.”

…………He then closed by introducing the many guests and politicians, who were led by State

Senator Ned Kirby of Whitman. The benediction was then given by Chaplain Gilfoy to close the

ceremony.………………………………………………(Compiled by Bob Lessard Historian 2014)