.......Middleboro’s Veterans Day parade was canceled due to high winds and driving rain. The ceremony was moved inside to the auditorium of Middleboro’s 1873 Town Hall. Bob Lessard, the Commander-elect of the Middleboro Veterans Council opened the program with a speech commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.
........“We are here on this Memorial Day to honor the Vietnam Veteran. When they returned home from their duties of the Vietnam War….in some places many were treated with hostility, shunned, sneered at and some were even reportedly spit at or upon., he said.”
.......“Middleboro welcomed home her Vietnam veterans in an honorable manner.
.......But, because of the poor treatment in other areas of the country, recently the Department of Defense instituted a Commemoration in honor of our nation’s Vietnam veterans.”
.......He added, “I would like to read parts of a Proclamation issued by President Obama concerning our Vietnam veterans.”
...............“On this anniversary, we reflect with solemn reverence upon the valor of a
generation that served with honor.
............... We pay tribute to the more than 3 million servicemen and women who left their families to serve bravely, a world away from everything they knew and everyone they loved.
Through more than decade of combat, over air, land, and sea, these proud Americans upheld the highest traditions of our armed forces.
...............As a grateful Nation, we honor the more than 58,000 patriots…..their names etched in black granite—who sacrificed all they had and all they would ever know.
..............We draw inspiration from the heroes who suffered unspeakably as prisoners of war,
yet who returned
home with their heads held high.
We pledge to keep faith with those who were wounded and still carry the scars of WAR, seen and
unseen.
With more than 1,600 of our service members still among the missing, we pledge as a Nation to o
everything in our power to bring these patriots home.
In the reflection of THE WALL, we see the military family members and veterans who carry a pain that
may never fade.
May they find peace in knowing their loved ones endure, not only in medals and
memories, but in the hearts of all Americans, who are forever grateful for their service, valor
and sacrifice. In recognition of a chapter in our Nation’s history, that must not be forgotten, let us renew our sacred commitment to those who answered our country’s call in Vietnam and those who awaited their safe return.
…….While no words will ever be fully worthy of their service, nor any honor truly befitting
Their sacrifice, let us remember that it is never too late to pay tribute to the men and women
who answered the call of duty with courage and valor.
.…....Let us renew our commitment to the fullest possible accounting for those who have not returned.
………Throughout this Commemoration, let us strive to live up to their example by showing our Vietnam
Veterans, their families, and all who have served the fullest respect and support of a grateful Nation.”
……………………………………………………Signed by President Barack Obama
***** *******
………… Lessard continued, “Middleboro residents over the years have proudly displayed their respect, support and feelings concerning the veterans.
……….A quick look at Middleboro’s involvement in its military history regarding its veterans can readily be seen right here on the town hall lawn and within town hall
………First and foremost is the boulder at the northeast corner of the lawn, which was dedicated in memory of Middleboro’s Revolutionary soldiers by The Nemasket Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution on May 5, 1915.
………Just this past week, the Middleboro Gazette, printed an article by historian Mike Maddigan concerning the dedication to of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Monument on May 30, 1896. Maddigan’s article reveals the participation of Middleboro’s residents in the dedication ceremony.
………..By the way, the Middleboro Gazette, established in 1852, has been actively reporting on Middleboro’s veterans for all these years.
…….. Again on May 29, 1929, the citizens of Middleboro recognized two World War 1 casualties, Simeon L. Nickerson and John Glass, Jr. The street in front of Town Hall was renamed Nickerson Avenue and Everett Square was named John Glass, Jr., Square.
…….. On June 1, 1967 the large center stone in the center background of the Middleboro Veterans Memorial Park was dedicated to Middleboro’s fallen soldiers. A fund drive for $4,000 was established through the efforts of Harold Tower and John Gilfoy with the design and construction handled by Stanley Barnicoat.
……… Today, Middleboro’s Veterans Memorial Park, which was dedicated on Memorial Day 2005, highlights the lawn area. Many consider the Memorial Park as, perhaps, one of the best of its kind in New England. There are two spruce trees in the park, which are dedicated to two Middleboro Medal of Honor recipients, WW1 U.S. Army Lt. Patrick J. Regan and Vietnam War U. S. Navy Hospital Corpsman Third Class Wayne M. Caron.
………It has been estimated that through fund raising, donated labor and material, the Middleboro Veterans Memorial Park project would have cost over $200,000. It couldn’t have been accomplished without the overwhelming support and donations of the residents of Middleboro.
…….. In Town hall, on the walls of the main entrance lobby are wooden plaques dedicated to the 412 men who served during World War 1. The plaques were hung on the walls in December 1918, just one month after the Armistice was signed. The citizens of Middleboro had formed a group called the Commercial Club, which maintained a biographical card file on each man and boy from town who entered the armed forces. During their service time, the Club sent “care” packages to our Middleboro soldiers.
………..Those individual cards were saved and are currently in the possession of Middleborough’s Simeon L. Nickerson Post 64 American Legion. If any Middleborough family had a relative serving in WW1, the Legion Post will provide copies of the card free of charge.
…………Also displayed in the main lobby is the POW/MIA chair dedicated in memory of William M. Smith on Memorial Day 2014. The chair was a request of the veterans group Rolling Thunder. The group appeared, along with local veterans, before our Board of Selectmen on December 19, 2013, who voted unanimously to endorse the POW/MIA chair for Middleboro. Simeon L. Nickerson Post 64 American Legion Commander Don Triner informed the Selectmen that the Post would pay for the chair.
………… Later, during the Memorial Day ceremony, family members of William Smith, Rolling Thunder representatives presented the chair to Alin Frawley and Diane Stewart of the Middleboro Board of Selectmen. The chair now has a permanent place in the Town Hall lobby.
…………William Smith was 21 while serving in the U.S. Army with Company B, 3rd Battalion, 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division when he was reported “Missing in Action” on March 3, 1969.
………….He was captured and died while a prisoner during a forced march to North Vietnam. His body has never been found. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Smith of 2 Starrett Avenue.
…………His biographical history can be seen in the booklet about Middleboro’s Vietnam casualties. That booklet, which is in its third printing is available at the front of the hall.
………..The first floor hallway also has a large photograph of the Cranberry Country Vietnam Moving Wall, which came to Middleboro for display at Pierce Playground in 2008. Ed Beaulieu photographed and processed that picture. Bob Burke and his volunteer committee was responsible for all of Middleboro’s activities at the Moving Wall. Middleboro’s residents came out in droves to support of the Vietnam veterans on that occasion
………..Please notice there is a large replica of the Vietnam Service ribbon to my (L-R), which crafted and graciously loaned for this Memorial Day by Doc and Lynn Ingram. The replica ribbon was first displayed during the time frame of May 29 through June 2 the Moving Wall was in Middleboro.
……….Also, displayed in front is the flag Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War, which has been issued by the Department of Defense United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration
……… FINALLY, NONE of the above could have happened without the support of our troops and veterans by the citizens of Middleboro.
………………………..On behalf of ALL our Veterans….. I salute you…..and… Thank You
View more history for Post 64 in Middleborough, Massachusetts
