Hundreds Attend Dedication Of Middleboro's Veterans Memorial Park

May 30, 2005

MIDDLEBORO VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK: - The highlight of

Memorial Day, besides the honoring the memories of our veterans, was the dedication ceremony

of the town’s Veterans Memorial Park on the Town Hall lawn. The ceremony was attended by

hundreds.

.......The Middleboro Vterans' Council, which is comprised of Simeon L.Nickerson Post

64,American Legion; John Glass, Jr., Post 2188, Veterans of Foreign Wars;Cpl.William F.

Reardon, Chapter 57, Disabled American Veterans of Taunton and the Oak Point Veterans

Association, voted to form a sub-committee in 2003 to create a Veterans' Memorial Park. The

Selectmen unimously endorsed the Memorial Park concept on November 3, 2003.

………Editor Jane Lopes of the Middleboro Gazette penned a front page article describing the

dedication activities. She wrote in part:

…………A pair of Thunderbolt 2 aircraft soared overhead just prior to the start of the dedication

ceremonies for the new Middleboro Veterans Memorial Park Monday, setting the tone for an

uplifting and inspiring hour of speeches and music honoring, not only the town’s war dead, but

all those who have served their country.

…………The long-awaited dedication of the memorial park took place on a perfect spring afternoon

with hundreds of veterans and their families, local residents and visiting dignitaries looking

on. Gold Star mothers whose sons died in battle, current members of military units, small

children, elderly veterans and dozens of people, who have paid tribute to loved ones through

donations to the park project.

…………The donors have ranged from Eastern Bank, which capped the park committee’s $200,000 fund-

raising effort with a $50,000 donation last month, to the Burkland School third-grade class

that purchased a brick in memory of Deborah Sampson, who left Middleboro dressed as a man and

served in the Revolutionary War.

………..Speakers commended the committee headed up by Veterans services Officer Paul Provencher

as well as remarking on the community’s commitment to the project and those it represents.

……….. “This is a tribute to those who have gone before us and who have kept us free,

especially those who have not returned,” said State Sen. Marc Pacheco. Other speakers said the

park should serve as a reminder of those freedoms guaranteed by American men and women in

uniform.

…………A booklet printed for the occasion covered the dedication program and listed the many

contributors to the two-year long project.

…………Principal financial donors were listed: Admirals ($10,000 and up)… Mayflower Bank, Jack

Barnicoat, Plymouth Savings Bank and Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation….. Colonels ($5,000 to

$9.999) ….Nate and Karen Hindemith….. Majors ($1,000 to $4,999)…. Oak Point Homes, LLC,

Foursplus, Howard Maxim Foundation, Anderson Cushing Insurance, Lowriders, Rotary Club of

Middleboro, EJM Trustee Account and Rockland Trust Company.

……….. Captains ($500 to $999)….Earth Tech Company, Debbie Blais Real Estate, Mattie Tire,

Inc., Prescription Pharmacy, Savas Liquors, Greystone Realty, Inc. and AESCO East.

………..Ensign ($100 to $499)….C.F. Darcy Electric, Superior Taxi, Auto Glass Center, John Rea,

Law Office of Adam Bond, Serta Mattress Company, Holly Berries, Maria’s Cards and Gifts,

Winthrop Atkins Co, Inc., Sachem Realty, Branch 156 NALC, Clarke Products, Central Café,

Capeway Physical Therapy, Inc, DeCosta Furniture, Kelly’s Tire Mart, Sheldon’s Café, K & E

Engineering, Dr. Gerald E. Savard, Wood Palace Kitchens, Inc.

And, Robert I. Freedman, MD, Alfred M. Bongiorno, DMD, Elva Abair, Frank R. Walsh, DMD,

William C. Decas, Esq., Warehan Street Garage, The Hair Medic, Burt Wood School of Performing

Arts, D J Donahue Excavating, Inc., and Mary Barry Massage Therapy Assoc., Inc.

………Others, who offered donations in kind: - Allen & Major Associates, Inc., Ander Signs,

Apazidis Family Restaurant, Barnicoat Monuments, Bay State Piping Co., Inc., Byrne Sand &

Gravel, Columbia Electric Supply, Inc., Crutchfield Signs, Forms & Graphics, In.c, Grant Steel

Co., Grant’s Rental, Hallamore Corporation, Hideaway Restaurant, Lemmo & Son Contracting,

Jimmy Leroy & helpers, Robert Lessard, Bruce Baptiste, Dennis Lewoczko, Ron Bernier, William

Marzelli, Rob Demers, McGee Chevrolet, Inc., Greg Ferreira, Middleboro Gazette, Tyler Leroy,

Restaurant, Arthur Parsons, New England Rent-All Equip., Steve Percy, Nichols Trucking, Bob

Phillips and Notable Woodworkig.

Also, John Rea, Randall Electric, John Rea, Jr., George S. Redlon & Sons, Errol J. Rea, Saxon

Partners, Wayne Sanborn, Spillane’s Nursery and Landscape, Suncor Stainless Steel, Utility

Precast, W. R. Logan Excavating, Wood Stove & Fireplaces Unlimited., Wood Ventures Wood

Landscaping & Irrigation and Fred Roberson.....(Compiled by Bob Lessard Historian 2014)