Fallen Hero Recognition: W. Franklin Lynch, World War I - March 30, 3026 9 AM

Memorial event today (3/30/25) at 9 AM on the Town Common Veterans Walkway to honor W. Franklin Lynch, World War I.

This program will include the placing of a Memorial Wreath for the day, the playing of Taps, a salute from those present, and a reading of whatever history may be available for that veteran.  This is a way of keeping the memory of that veteran alive.

April

9 – Joseph R. Paulette – Vietnam

9 – Russell W. Shaw – Vietnam

17 – John J. Kell – WWII

30 – John E. Pasquantonio – Vietnam

Complete schedule for year

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tlyiAK18owM81p8aJs1vhKc3p2bIK1cv/view?usp=d

rive_link

You can find all the videos for 2024 in one playlist -> 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo3eJGInVXU&list=PLbAODFjFPJ0zOqXRuHZ5-_LPf6UwmBNSA

For the full published series of Fallen Heroes you can visit this link
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/franklin-fallen-heroes-series.html

Photo album of the Fallen Hero pillars along the Veterans Walkway

https://photos.app.goo.gl/oRGdmq9krLNEBnjJ7

Fallen Hero Recognitions for March & April 2026

Fallen hero schedule for the remainder of March & April 2026

March

30 – W. Franklin Lynch - WWI

April

9 – Joseph R. Paulette – Vietnam

9 – Russell W. Shaw – Vietnam

17 – John J. Kell – WWII

30 – John E. Pasquantonio – Vietnam

Complete schedule for year

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tlyiAK18owM81p8aJs1vhKc3p2bIK1cv/view?usp=d

rive_link

Fallen Hero Recognition: Private First Class Elton E. Ekstrom, U.S. Army - March 18, 2026

Memorial event today (3/18/26) at 9 AM on the Town Common Veterans Walkway to honor Private First Class Elton E. Ekstrom, U.S. Army.

This program will include the placing of a Memorial Wreath for the day, the playing of Taps, a salute from those present, and a reading of whatever history  may be available for that veteran.  This is a way of keeping the memory of that veteran alive.

Fallen Hero: Private First Class Elton E. Ekstrom, U.S. Army

Private First Class Elton E. Ekstrom, U.S. Army, was born on November 11, 1918 to August and Hannah Ekstrom. Elton lived with his parents, four sisters and three brothers at 417 Lincoln Street. 

Elton attended the Franklin Public Schools and for a number of years lived on Lincoln Street and maintained his residence there after his marriage to the former Arlene Beals. Elton and Arlene were the parents of two sons, Paul and Elton, Jr. Paul graduated from West Point and served two tours of duty as an army helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War. Elton, Jr. also served in the army during the Vietnam War Era. 

PFC Elton E. Ekstrom served in the 87th Infantry Division of General Patton’s Third Army during the Rhine River crossing into Germany. Details of the Rhine River crossing as provided by Barbara Strang, 87th Infantry Division Historian, are as follows: “The assault boats of the 347th Battalion crossed the Rhine after midnight on March 25th. The Germans opened up with everything they had from the steep banks on the opposite side. Numerous boats were hit resulting in many casualties. Further assaults occurred at Rhens, Boppard, and Oberlahanstein.” 

Private First Class Elton E. Ekstrom was killed by machine gun fire on March 18, 1945 at age 26 while in combat crossing the Rhine River.

 --------------

The schedule of Fallen Heroes for the year on one page (PDF)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tlyiAK18owM81p8aJs1vhKc3p2bIK1cv/view?usp=drive_link

For the full published series of Fallen Heroes you can visit this link
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/franklin-fallen-heroes-series.html

Photo album of the Fallen Hero pillars along the Veterans Walkway  https://photos.app.goo.gl/oRGdmq9krLNEBnjJ7

You can find all the videos for 2024 in one playlist -> 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo3eJGInVXU&list=PLbAODFjFPJ0zOqXRuHZ5-_LPf6UwmBNSA

Fallen Hero: PFC Elton Ekstrom

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, March 10, 2026 ???

Tuesday, March 10

9:00am Fallen Hero: Marshall E. Rollins & John A. Schur (Veterans Walkway, Franklin Town Common)

12:00pm Community Closet (Franklin United Methodist Church)

Library & Senior Center events

For additional details on Library events -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

For additional details on Senior Center events ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

Note: Senior Center checking on why their events are suddenly being shown as "All Day". You can use the monthly newsletter for specific program/event times

***  Town Meetings today   ***

250th Franklin Anniversary Communications Subcommittee Meeting

Tuesday, March 10 Time: 5:30 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03102026-2121 

Franklin School Committee Meeting

Tuesday, March 10 Time: 6:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03102026-2175 

Friends of the Franklin Public Library Meeting

Tuesday, March 10 Time: 6:00 PM - 7:45 PM

Social event, no agenda posted

-----------

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar

Fallen Hero Recognition: Marshall E. Rollins & John A. Schur - March 10, 2026 at 9 AM

There are two ceremonies today at 9 AM on the Town Common, Veterans Walkway.

2 of Franklin's 45 Fallen Heroes fell on the same date. This program will include the placing of a Memorial Wreath for the day, the playing of Taps, a salute from those present, and a reading of whatever history  may be available for that veteran.  This is a way of keeping the memory of that veteran alive.

Fallen Hero: Private First Class Marshall E. Rollins, U.S. Marine Corps

Private First Class Marshall E. Rollins, the son of Carl and Bessie Rollins, was born on May 23, 1925. Marshall lived with his parents and sister at 51 Crescent Street. 

Marshall E. Rollins attended Franklin High School but left high school at the end of his junior year to join the Marine Corps. 

Private First Class Marshall Rollins served in the Fourth Marine Division for nearly three years, participating in the Battles of Roi, Namur, Tinian, Saipan and Iwo Jima. His division received a Presidential Unit Citation for their efforts in the Saipan battle. PFC Marshall Rollins sustained an injury in this battle but later returned to active duty on Iwo Jima. 

Private First Class Marshall E. Rollins was severely injured on March 10, 1945 in the fighting at Iwo Jima, was evacuated to the U.S. Hospital in the Mariannas and subsequently succumbed to his battle injuries in the Guam Hospital on April 2, 1945. 

Private First Class Marshall E. Rollins, U.S. Marine Corps, was 19 years old at the time of his death while serving in the service of his country in World War II.

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/fallen-hero-private-first-class.html

Fallen Hero: Private First Class Rollins

Fallen Hero: Second Lieutenant John A. Schur, U.S. Army Air Corps

Second Lieutenant John A. Schur was born on July 26, 1922, the son of Mr. and Mrs. August Schur. John lived at 124 Beaver Street with his parents while attending the Franklin Public Schools. John graduated from Franklin High School in 1940 as Class Valedictorian. John was also very active in scouting and attained the rank of Eagle Scout. 

Following graduation from high school, John entered Northeastern University to study chemical engineering and was on the Dean’s List for his 3 years there. John left Northeastern to enlist in the U.S. Air Corps on October 17, 1942. 

In raids over Tokyo Second Lieutenant Schur was highly commended for his outstanding ability and courage when he left his post as navigator to repair and put back into operation radio and radar equipment which had become inoperable during the flight. In a later raid over Tokyo, 2nd LT John H. Schur was aboard a B-25 bomber loaded with bombs when the bomber sustained a direct hit and disappeared in a burst of an explosion over the heart of the city on March 10, 1945. 

Second Lieutenant John A. Schur, U.S. Army Air Corps, was 22 years old at the time of his death over Tokyo while serving his country during World War II.

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/fallen-hero-second-lieutenant-john.html 

Fallen Hero: Second Lt Schur

Fallen Hero Recognition: Richard L. Desper - Vietnam - Feb 26, 2026

Memorial event today (2/26/26) at 9 AM on the Veterans Walkway at the Town Common to honor Richard L. Desper.

This program will include the placing of a Memorial Wreath for the day, the playing of Taps, a salute from those present, and a reading of whatever history may be available for that veteran. This is a way of keeping the memory of that veteran alive.

----------------

"Lance Corporal Richard Lincoln Desper was born on February 12, 1947 the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Desper. Richard lived at 45 Coutu St. with his parents, four brothers, and 13 sisters. 

According to the war Department's official telegram Corporal Desper died five miles north of An Hoa in Quong Nan province of fragmentation wounds inflicted by mortar fire while on a search-and-clear mission with the Marine Corps in Vietnam on February 26, 1969. This was Corporal Desper's second tour of duty in the war zone having previously served in Vietnam with the Navy."

Lance Corporal Richard Lincoln Desper

Lance Corporal Richard L. Desper was 22 years old at the time of his death in Vietnam.

Lance Corporal Richard Lincoln Desper

For the full published series of Fallen Heroes you can visit this link
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/franklin-fallen-heroes-series.html

Photo album of the Fallen Hero pillars along the Veterans Walkway

https://photos.app.goo.gl/oRGdmq9krLNEBnjJ7

You can find all the videos for 2024 in one playlist -> 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo3eJGInVXU&list=PLbAODFjFPJ0zOqXRuHZ5-_LPf6UwmBNSA

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday, February 22, 2026 ???

Sunday, February 22

9:00am Fallen Heroes: James P. Murray (Veterans Walkway, Town Common)

12:30pm Screening of "Common Ground" (First Universalist Society Franklin)

1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

2:00pm Much Ado About Nothing (Dean College Main Stage Theater)

*** NO Town Meetings today   ***

-----------

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar

Fallen Hero Recognition: James P Murray - Feb 22, 2026 - 9 AM

Memorial event today (2/22/26) at 9 AM on the Veterans Walkway at the Town Common to honor James P Murray.

This program will include the placing of a Memorial Wreath for the day, the playing of Taps, a salute from those present, and a reading of whatever history may be available for that veteran. This is a way of keeping the memory of that veteran alive.

--------------

James P Murray, Oiler, US Navy - World War I

The only record we have of James P Murray is that he died from disease while serving in the Navy on February 22, 1918.

Fallen Hero Recognition: James P Murray - Feb 22, 2026 - 9 AM

For the full published series of Fallen Heroes you can visit this link
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/franklin-fallen-heroes-series.html

Photo album of the Fallen Hero pillars along the Veterans Walkway

https://photos.app.goo.gl/oRGdmq9krLNEBnjJ7

You can find all the videos for 2024 in one playlist -> 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo3eJGInVXU&list=PLbAODFjFPJ0zOqXRuHZ5-_LPf6UwmBNSA

Fallen Hero Recognition: Alan Wayne Willard - Feb 18, 2026 - 9 AM

Memorial event today (1/26/26) at 9 AM on the Veterans Walkway at the Town Common to honor Alan Wayne Willard.

This program will include the placing of a Memorial Wreath for the day, the playing of Taps, a salute from those present, and a reading of whatever history may be available for that veteran.  This is a way of keeping the memory of that veteran alive.

--------

Fallen Hero: Sergeant Alan Wayne Willard

Sergeant Alan Wayne Willard was born on July 1, 1947 the son of Mr. and Mrs. Warren A. Willard. Alan lived at 529 Pleasant St. with his parents, three brothers and one sister. Sergeant Willard lived most of his life here in Franklin. He was graduated from Franklin High School in 1965 and enlisted in the Air Force in August of that year. Sergeant Willard served for two years with his tour in Vietnam beginning on February 20, 1967.  

Sergeant Willard died on February 18, 1968 of ground causality wounds as a result of a hostile artillery attack when his barracks at Tan Son Nhut Air Base in Gia Dihh province, South Vietnam, was struck by rocket or mortar shell fire. He was a member of the 6250th Combat Support Group serving as a radar specialist.  

Sergeant Alan Willard was 20 years old at the time of his death in Vietnam.

Originally posted -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/11/fallen-hero-sergeant-alan-wayne-willard.html 

Sergeant Alan Wayne Willard

For the full published series of Fallen Heroes you can visit this link
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/franklin-fallen-heroes-series.html

Photo album of the Fallen Hero pillars along the Veterans Walkway

https://photos.app.goo.gl/oRGdmq9krLNEBnjJ7

You can find all the videos for 2024 in one playlist -> 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo3eJGInVXU&list=PLbAODFjFPJ0zOqXRuHZ5-_LPf6UwmBNSA

The Lost Plaque of Eddie Grant: A Monument That Vanished

via the MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau:

Captain Edward Leslie Grant of Franklin, Massachusetts — known as “Harvard Eddie” — was a rare figure in early professional baseball: a Harvard graduate, Major League third baseman, and later a World War I officer. After leaving baseball to practice law, Grant volunteered for service and was killed in action on October 5, 1918, while leading troops during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. He became the first Major League Baseball player to die in World War I.

In 1921, the New York Giants honored Grant with a five-foot granite monument and bronze plaque at the Polo Grounds in center field. Unveiled before a crowd of 30,000 on Memorial Day, the inscription remembered him as “Soldier – Scholar – Athlete.” For years, players and veterans groups held annual tributes at the site, and the plaque appeared in the background of several iconic baseball moments (Willie Mays famous 1954 World Series catch).

When the Giants left New York after the 1957 season, fans flooded the field after the final game and began removing pieces of the stadium. Grant’s plaque was taken down during the chaos. Although newspapers initially reported it recovered, its whereabouts were never clearly confirmed, and it became one of baseball’s most talked-about missing memorials.

Over time, a piece of baseball folklore emerged — the idea that the franchise had been under a “curse” since leaving behind Grant’s memorial and legacy. Whether superstition or storytelling, the tale gained traction among fans and historians and the "Curse of Captain Eddie" was born. 

Eddie Grant marker on the Franklin
Town Common - Veterans Walkway

In 2006, after years of advocacy by researchers and veterans organizations, the San Francisco Giants installed a replica Eddie Grant plaque at their ballpark (now Oracle Park). In 2010, the team won its first World Series title in San Francisco — ending a decades-long championship drought and giving the story a poetic final chapter.

Today, Grant’s memorial once again has a visible place in the game he loved — and his story stands as a powerful reminder that heroes from Massachusetts helped shape both American history and American sports.

📷: MLB player Eddie Grant, who died during the Battle of Argonne Forest in France during WWI, is seen in a New York Giants uniform, Bain News Service, 1914.

📷: Willie Mays makes his famous catch off the bat of Vic Wertz in the 1954 World Series at the Polo Grounds. The New York Giants went on to sweep the Cleveland Indians in four games. | NY Daily News/Getty Images

📷: Left to right: Dave Bancroft of the New York Giants and Zack Wheat of the Brooklyn Dodgers place a wreath of flowers on Eddie Grant’s monument at the Polo Grounds on April 13, 1922.

📷: The Eddie Grant plaque outside Oracle Park in San Francisco. |

Alex Simon/SFGATE

You can find the photos referenced -> https://www.facebook.com/share/19XrMpXLsN/

Catching up to the Fallen Hero Recognition for William O. Martello - Jan 26, 2026

What should have been on Monday, Jan 26 was scheduled for Tuesday, Jan 27 due to the weather.

The Veterans Walkway on the Town Common was covered with about 20" of snow but that did not stop the proceedings.

Shovels prepared, a few managed to clear enough space along the walkway and from Main St to the walkway to enable the ceremony.

It is important to keep their names and service alive.

The gathering to honor William O. Martello despite the snow

-----------------

Fallen Hero Recognition: William O. Martello - Jan 26, 2026 - 9 AM

Memorial event today (1/26/26) at 9 AM on the Town Common Veterans Walkway to honor William O. Martello.   

This program will include the placing of a Memorial Wreath for the day, the playing of Taps, a salute from those present, and a reading of whatever history  may be available for that veteran.  This is a way of keeping the memory of that veteran alive.

--------

Fallen Hero: Ensign William O. Martello, U.S. Navy

Ensign William Olindo Martello, U.S. Navy, was born on April 14, 1920, son of Theresa and Olindo Martelli. Willam was raised by Theresa and her second husband, Nicholas Martello, at 17 Howard Street with his four sisters and one brother. “Willie” attended the Franklin Schools and graduated from Franklin High School in 1937. William went on to Boston University where he graduated with honors with an A.B. degree and was initiated into Phi Beta Kappa.  

William Martello was a student, artist and musician as well as a fighting man. “Willie” was an accomplished concert pianist and was rated as one of the most promising young pianists in New England. Prior to his naval service “Lindy” traveled on the Grace cruise line to South American as an onboard pianist.  

William O. Martello enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserves on April 17, 1942 and later began his active naval service on April 8, 1943. William O. Martello attended Columbia’s naval officers training program and was commissioned an ensign upon completion of the program on July 28, 1943. He served as second in command aboard an invasion craft off the coast of the Anzio beachhead below Rome. Survivors of Ensign Martello’s landing craft, which had struck a mine in the waters off Anzio, reported that Ensign Martello had refused to heed the order to abandon ship, had fitted out a life raft with provisions, and when last seen, just as the ship turned over and went down, was hurling life belts into the sea for his crewmen swimming in the water.  

A month before his death Ensign William O. Martello wrote to his mother the following lines in a letter to her: 

“As for the war, we had to adjust ourselves to the personal problems it brought, and if a guy can’t take it, then his life is a failure. That is why I am not even afraid of death. If I did one thing that indicated cowardness, the rest of my life would be miserable.” 

Ensign William O. Martello, U.S. Navy, was lost at sea off Anzio on January 26, 1944 at the age of 23.

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, January 27, 2026 ???

Tuesday, January 27

**  Tri-County Schools announced delayed opening by 2 hours; Franklin Public Schools & BFCCPS canceled school  

** Senior Center delayed opening by 2 hours   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/01/franklin-senior-center-opens-tuesday.html

9:00am Fallen Heroes: William 0. Martello (Town Common, Veterans Memorial)

2:30pm Rainbow Cafe (Franklin Senior Center)

4:00pm Franklin Skate night (Patriot Place)

Senior Center events before 10 AM are canceled

For additional details on Library events -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

For additional details on Senior Center events ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

*** Town Meetings today   ***

Massachusetts Strategic Health Group

Tuesday, January 27 Time: 1:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01272026-2100 

Franklin School Committee

Tuesday, January 27 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01272026-2111 

-----------

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday, December 28, 2025 ???

Sunday, December 28

9am Fallen Hero: Charles E. Mason (Veterans Walkway, Franklin Town Common)

1pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

1pm Franklin in Miniature (Train Town 3) (Franklin Historical Museum)

1pm Musical Bingo (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)

** NO  Town Meetings today   **

------------

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar