WW1 Honor Roll Rededicated During Memorial Day Ceremony

May 26, 2003 ………….. Memorial Day:- More than 200 residents, veterans and auxiliary members, members of the Middleboro High School band and town officials gathered in Town Hall auditorium for Memorial Day services. Rain had canceled the parade and outdoor services. …………. Among those attending the holiday observances were descendants of World War 1 veterans, and it was a special day for them. ………….Included in the day’s activities was a re-dedication of the World War 1 Honor Roll. A listing of the 412 names of men who served in WW1 were re-hung in the Town Hall lobby. The names were lettered alphabetically on wooden plaques and originally hung by townspeople in December of 1918 only about a month after the Armistice. ………….During renovations of the Town Hall, the plaques had been removed for storage. While in storage a fire occurred and the plaques could have been destroyed. In fact, Selectman Jim Wiksten, who is a Middleboro fireman and helped fight the fire, was quoted in the Brockton Enterprise as stating, “I was at the fire. They survived a horrific fire.” …………But, when time came for their return to the lobby, town officials hesitated and offered to place them in another location. Controversy occurred between the veterans and the Selectmen over their placement. The Middleboro Veterans Counsel insisted that the WW1 plaques be returned to their original spot in the lobby. …………Finally, an agreement to return the plaques was worked out by veteran Francis Creney, who headed the committee for returning the plaques to the lobby. He and town officials also agreed that a new sign be carved by John R. Crutchfield, owner of Crutchfield Signs, with a golden eagle Plus re-installing all the wooden name boards. ………..The plaques were re-hung through an effort led by veterans of the local American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans and other citizens. The golden eagle sign made by Crutchfield was funded by the Peirce Trustees. Mr. Crutchfield credits Legionnaire Bob Schofield for working with him to create the new sign in time for the rededication. …………Robert Lessard, an Air Force veteran, was guest speaker for the ceremony and one of those responsible for the project, spoke of how the Honor Roll had been placed in the lobby in 1918, a month after the signing of the Armistice that ended WW1. ………..During his speech, Lessard listed the names of Middleboro men who were casualties during WW1. The list included: Simeon L. Nickerson, John J. Glass, Harold R. Ashley, Francis P. Breck, William Green, Isaac C. Griffin, Roger Keedwell, Daniel McLeod, Joseph Meglio, William H. Messer, Charles E. Reed, Fred A. Robinson, Harry M. Rogers and Joseph G. Rose. ………. He also spoke of Medal of Honor recipient U. S. Army Lieutenant Patrick J. Regan of WW1, who listed his home town birthplace as Middleboro. Working on the re-installation was Steven LeBlanc, 2nd, owner of Jade Sign Design town Department of Public Works employees and Allan Robert, owner of Al's Welding and Cutting. .............(Posted by Bob Lessard Historian 2014)