Showing posts with label Vietnam. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vietnam. Show all posts

Thursday, March 14, 2024

VFW Post 3402 Hosting Luncheon for Vietnam-Era Veterans 29 March 2024

Luncheon for Vietnam-Era Veterans

Calling local Vietnam-Era Veterans!

VFW Post 3402 is hosting a luncheon in your honor on 29 March 2024.

Event time is 12 PM (noon). RSVP required, call 508-613-1315.

See flier for more details!

 

VFW Post 3402 Hosting Luncheon for Vietnam-Era Veterans 29 March 2024
VFW Post 3402 Hosting Luncheon for Vietnam-Era Veterans 29 March 2024

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/veterans-services/news/vfw-post-3402-hosting-luncheon-vietnam-era-veterans-29-march-2024

Friday, May 27, 2022

Editorial Statement: For Crying Out Loud (audio)

FM #802 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 802 in the series. 


This session of the radio show is an editorial statement. Something I don’t do often, in fact rarely do but given the circumstances of this week, I feel compelled to share this. 

The recording runs about 7 minutes, so let’s listen.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-802-for-crying-out-loud-05-25-22

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

The text 

“For crying out loud”


For, crying out loud


We’ll begin with a moment of reflection, take a deep breath, centering where we are in the present


The headlines yesterday were all over DESE going after Boston Public Schools for insufficient progress on a “myriad of problems”. In their 120+ page assessment, the litany of errors, shortfalls, discrepancies out outlined in detail with a particular focal point, rather myopic in that, DESE is the same organization that throughout the pandemic struggled to generate timely and accurate guidance. Those who live in glasshouses should not throw stones!


For crying out loud


The headlines were all about Boston and DESE until word came on yet another shooting, another elementary school, lives young and old cut short by someone misguided at best, armed unnecessarily, who likely had cried for help and the yet system did not respond. You can say it starts at home. He did. He shot his grandmother first.


For crying out loud


Perhaps lost among the other news headlines, was one that 12 students at FHS received the Commonwealth seal of biliteracy, achieving proficiency in two languages. It had been 11 when I created the headline Tuesday. It was raised by one more to 12 as another confirmation of a student award was received. Not unlike the initial reports or 14, then 18, 19… where will it end


I recall a poem by Robert Bly

“Let's count the bodies over again.


If we could only make the bodies smaller 

The size of skulls 

We could make a whole plain white with skulls in the moonlight!


If we could only make the bodies smaller 

Maybe we could get

A whole year's kill in front of us on a desk!


If we could only make the bodies smaller 

We could fit

A body into a finger-ring for a keepsake forever.”


Written during the Vietnam war, and the repetition of body counts the news broadcast daily.


For crying out loud


We’ll come back to FHS. There are more than 20 languages heard within the halls of FHS and these 12 students have mastered a couple. Maybe, there is hope. Maybe, among the halls of students, mastering language, they can lead us to a better place. Maybe they can bring a cracking (some would say breaking) system to its senses.


I hope so, I am tired of crying out loud


We’ll end with a moment of reflection, take a deep breath, centering where we are in the present. If we don’t use the past lessons to foster change, what will our future be?


For crying out loud


I’ll close with my own poem written in the pandemic

sherku: fear knot

I wake fearful

take a breath

realize

it is a

new day, we

can do this!

 

For more about Robert Bly -> https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/robert-bly

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

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

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For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

 

Editorial Statement: For Crying Out Loud (audio)
Editorial Statement: For Crying Out Loud (audio)

Monday, January 17, 2022

MLK: "We must rapidly begin the shift from a 'thing-oriented' society to a 'person-oriented' society"

Martin Luther King Jr said: 

“I am convinced that if we are to get on the right side of the world revolution, we as a nation must undergo a radical revolution of values. We must rapidly begin the shift from a “thing-oriented” society to a “person-oriented” society. When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, materialism, and militarism are incapable of being conquered.

A true revolution of values will soon cause us to question the fairness and justice of many of our past and present policies. On the one hand we are called to play the good Samaritan on life’s roadside; but that will be only an initial act. One day we must come to see that the whole Jericho road must be transformed so that men and women will not be constantly beaten and robbed as they make their journey on life’s highway. True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar; it is not haphazard and superficial. It comes to see that an edifice which produces beggars needs restructuring.” 


From “Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence” speech, given at a meeting of Clergy and Laity Concerned at Riverside Church in New York City, April 4, 1967

As "content in context" is important, you can listen to and read the full text of this speech here -> https://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkatimetobreaksilence.htm

Martin Luther King, Jr. Beyond Vietnam -- A Time to Break Silence
Martin Luther King, Jr. "Beyond Vietnam -- A Time to Break Silence"


Monday, August 19, 2019

The Wall That Heals - in Bellinghham, Aug 22 - 25

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The Wall That Heals, a 7.5-foot-tall wall featuring the names of 58,276 veterans who died serving in Vietnam, will be coming to Bellingham from August 22-25. Several speakers and events are planned during its monumental visit to the town during its 300th anniversary.

In Paksem, Laos, on Oct. 19, 1972, German-born Sgt. John Peterson, a paramilitary officer for the Central Intelligence Agency boarded a helicopter. By mid-afternoon, he heard shots fired in the distance.

Peterson grew up in Bellingham and attended its high school.

“John knew it was time to get out of there,” said his wife Martha (Marti) Denny, who flew to Laos with him in June 1971 to arm and train the Hmong, a Laotian highland tribe, to fight the Communist Pathet Lao and North Vietnamese."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190819/wall-that-heals-coming-to-bellingham---what-you-need-to-know

screen capture of The Wall that Heals
screen capture of The Wall that Heals

Thursday, December 13, 2018

Bellingham will get its visit Aug. 22-25, 2019

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"A three-quarter scale replica of the huge and iconic national Vietnam Veterans Memorial will roll into town next August. 
“I’ve been wanting to do this for 20 years,” said Jim Hastings, who filed the application for the visit. 
The wall replica, managed and maintained by the same organization behind the original – the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund – stops in about 30 communities throughout the country each year. 
It’s called The Wall that Heals, and has been to more than 600 communities since its unveiling in 1996. The first version was built to half-scale of its Washington, D.C., counterpart, but the current model is 375 feet long, and 7.5 feet tall at its highest point."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181213/replica-of-vietnam-memorial-to-visit-bellingham


image from The Wall that Heals page
image from The Wall that Heals page
For more info on the wall please visit http://www.vvmf.org/twth

Sunday, November 11, 2018

Local Vietnam Veteran Visits Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School Junior Class

Veterans play an important role in educating younger generations about the principles upon which our country was founded. Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School students had the opportunity of going beyond the books to learn about the Vietnam War. 

Larry Bederian, who served as a Sargent in the U.S. Marines during the Vietnam War, visited grade 11 English classes to share his story. Born and raised in Franklin and a member of the Franklin VFW, Larry served in Vietnam from 1966 until 1968.

Mr. Bederian told students that he was mistakenly drafted while still in high school during his senior year. He laughs and remembers fondly, “After high school I went to the recruiting office as a joke and ended up enlisting.” He was sent to Camp Lejeune in North Carolina for Basic Training. “We later found out during morning formation that our unit had been activated to go to Vietnam,” said Bederian. 
Mr. Larry Bederian and Mrs. Lisa LaPlante
Mr. Larry Bederian and Mrs. Lisa LaPlante

“We were given fifteen days leave then we were sent to Camp Pendleton in California where my unit underwent three weeks of intensive combat training. From there, at 3:00 am, my unit was put on a bus to San Diego where we boarded a ship and headed to Okinawa.” They stayed in Okinawa for 2.5 weeks and then were sent to De Nang and became a part of the 1st Battalion Charlie Company.

Mr. Bederian explained to students the differences of how people from around the world live and what he experienced during his time in Vietnam. “We were very disrespected. We didn’t know who we could trust.” Mr. Bederian further reflects, “During Operation Medina, our mission was to clear and destroy. I remember the nights seemed to last forever and it was always spooky beyond our perimeter wires.” 

He told students about the one night they had set off 122 rockets, when a C-130 was shot down, and of the many frightening North Vietnamese Army patrols. “At night it was just like watching a Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration back home, only these killed.”
Local Vietnam Veteran Visits Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School Junior Class
Local Vietnam Veteran Visits Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School Junior Class

“All juniors were required to read ‘The Things They Carried’ by Tim O’Brien which tells more than the fighting and examines the physical, emotional and knowledge by questioning the role that our imagination plays in helping to form our memories and our own versions of truth,” said Lisa LaPlante, English Teacher and Coast Guard Veteran. “Inviting Mr. Bederian to our school helped students to see and hear the story of a Vietnam veteran and what it was like to serve and actually have lived through it.”

Students were allowed to ask questions and listened to the presentation in earnest. “It is our (all the English teachers) hope that Mr. Bederian’s experiences in Vietnam that he shared have resonated with our students, and they now feel more connected to the characters in the book and can identify, in real life, how the humanity of people is truly impacted by war,” said LaPlante.

Tri-County RVTHS, located at 147 Pond Street in Franklin, is a recipient of the High Schools That Work Gold Achievement Award and serves the communities of Franklin, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleboro, Plainville, Seekonk, Sherborn, Walpole, and Wrentham.

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Volunteer for the 24-hour watch when the Moving Wall visits Gillette Stadium

"From Thursday, Nov. 8 through Monday, Nov. 12, Patriot Place will host the Moving Wall, the half-sized replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Since the memorial requires 24-hour watch we are looking for volunteers while it is on display. Please fill out the following information if you are interested in volunteering."

To volunteer for the visit, please sign up online for a 3-hour shift
https://www.gillettestadium.com/2018-moving-wall-volunteers-needed/


About the Moving Wall:
"The Moving Wall" is the half-size replica of the Washington, DC Vietnam Veterans Memorial and has been touring the country for thirty plus years. When John Devitt attended the 1982 dedication in Washington, he felt the positive power of "The Wall." He vowed to share that experience with those who did not have the opportunity to go to Washington.

John, Norris Shears, Gerry Haver, and other Vietnam veteran volunteers built The Moving Wall. It went on display for the first time in Tyler, Texas in October of 1984. Two structures of The Moving Wall now travel the USA from April through November, spending about a week at each site.

More about the Moving Wall  http://www.themovingwall.org/index.html

Volunteer for the 24-hour watch when the Moving Wall visit Gillette Stadium
Volunteer for the 24-hour watch when the Moving Wall visit Gillette Stadium

Saturday, April 1, 2017

Vietnam War Veterans Exhibit - Franklin Municipal Building

Come on by to the Municipal Building to see our new Veterans Vietnam War Exhibit Courtesy of Dale Kurtz, Franklin's Veteran Officer. (exhibit available during normal office hours)

Vietnam War Veterans Exhibit - Franklin Municipal Building 1
Vietnam War Veterans Exhibit - Franklin Municipal Building 1 


Vietnam War Veterans Exhibit - Franklin Municipal Building 2
Vietnam War Veterans Exhibit - Franklin Municipal Building 2 
For additional information about veterans services 
http://www.franklinma.gov/veterans-services

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Regency Transportation to move "The Wall That Heals"



Franklin trucking company Regency Transportation was selected for involvement with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund in transporting “The Wall That Heals,” a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. 
The memorial, unveiled in 1996, was designed to travel, and has visited more than 400 cities and towns in the U.S. 
Regency Transportation driver Gordon Rogers, a Marine Corp veteran, will move the memorial from Fuller Elementary School in Gloucester, where it is currently on display, to Staunton, Virginia. 
For more information, visit vvmf.org/twth.
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150713/NEWS/150718959/1994/NEWS

"The Wall That Heals"
"The Wall That Heals"

Sunday, August 17, 2014

Fallen Heroes Series - Remembering

When I shared the picture from the Boston Sports Club to Facebook earlier this week, I realized that it was 'only' last year that I had posted the Fallen Heroes Series. Rhode Island, where I happen to be working, remains the only state to celebrate VJ Day or Victory Day, marking the end of World War II.





I also realized that there have been so many new subscribers in the past year that it would be worthwhile to re-share the link. So without further ado:

From wikipedia:
Although September 2 is the designated V-J Day in the entire United States, the event is recognized as an official holiday only in the U.S. state of Rhode Island, where the holiday's official name is "Victory Day",[20] and it is observed on the second Monday of August. There have been several attempts in the 1980s and 1990s to eliminate or rename the holiday on the grounds that it is discriminatory. While those all failed, the Rhode Island General Assembly did pass a resolution in 1990 "stating that Victory Day is not a day to express satisfaction in the destruction and death caused by nuclear bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki."[21] It is instead commemorative of those who fought, as Rhode Island sent a significantly above-average percentage of its population into the Pacific theater.    
To recognize the Franklin Fallen heroes from World War II, I'll be sharing their information this week. 
Thanks to Rose Turco for putting it together to recognize them and for allowing me to share this with you.


What is the Fallen Heroes Series?
A description of each of the street signs that are found around Franklin to acknowledge the individual who lived near there and gave his life in either World War II or the Vietnam War.


Cpl John J Kell - Raymond St
Cpl John J Kell - Raymond St

Note: There have been some additions to the signs to recognize those individuals from Afghanistan and Iraq but their info is not included in here at this time.



You can find the complete listing here

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/franklin-fallen-heroes-series.html


Sunday, January 5, 2014

Fallen Hero: John Emidio Pasquantonio


Lance Corporal John Emidio Pasquantonio was born in Franklin on March 14, 1949, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Carlo Pasquantonio. John lived with his parents and 3 sisters on Grove St. while attending the Franklin Schools. John enlisted in the Marines, at age 17. 
John was married to the former Jacqueline Mucciarone of Franklin and he left a son, John Carlo, who currently lives here in Franklin. 
Corporal Pasquantonio, assigned to the USS Iwo Jima, had been sent ashore as a forward observer for the Navy guns on the coast of Vietnam, in Quang Tri province, when he was struck by a mortar shell and killed instantly on April 30, 1968. Prior to his death, John had repeatedly volunteered for this hazardous duty landing on the coast by helicopter. Cpl. Pasquantonio was award the Cross of Gallantry Medal, which compares with America's bronze star award, by the South Vietnam government. 
Lance Corporal John E. Pasquantonio was 19 years old at the time of his death in Vietnam.








Note: as I was updating links I realized that I had skipped this one when I was putting the series together in November.  The full set of Fallen Heroes from the Vietnam War have been added to the Fallen Hero collection.  http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/franklin-fallen-heroes-series.html

Thursday, November 14, 2013

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 inGia 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.


Sgt Alan Willard
Sergeant Alan Wayne Willard


Sgt Alan W Willard
Sergeant Alan Wayne Willard, street sign

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Fallen Hero: Airman 1C Russell W. Shaw


Airman 1C Russell W. Shaw was born on June 30, 1952, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Shaw. Russell lived with his parents and four sisters at 561 Lincoln St. A 1970 graduate of Franklin High School Russell enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in July of that year. 
Airman Shaw graduated with honors from a technical training course at Sheppard AFB, Texas. He learned to maintain and service turbo-propeller aircraft and was assigned to Clark AFB for duty with a unit of the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service. 
Airman Shaw was killed in a motoring accident while serving at Clark Air Force Base, the Philippines on April 9, 1971. 
Airman 1C Russell W. Shaw was 18 years old at the time of his death while serving during the Vietnam War.


Airman 1C Russell Shaw
Airman 1C Russell W. Shaw


AM1C Russell W. Shaw
Airman 1C Russell W. Shaw, street sign

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Fallen Hero: Sergeant Joseph Ronald Paulette


Sergeant Joseph Ronald Paulette was born on October 13, 1948, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Preston Daggett, who lived in Franklin before moving their family to New Bedford. As a young man Joseph spent his summers in Franklin with his uncle and aunt, Mr. And Mrs. Roger Villiard of Brook St. Sgt. Paulette had requested that if anything happened to him while in the service, that his funeral and burial take place in Franklin. 
Sergeant Paulette enlisted late in 1965 and became a member of the 101st·Airborne Battalion. Sergeant Paulette served two years in the Army with his Vietnam tour beginning on December 13,1967. Sgt. Paulette was killed along with five other casualties by hostile small arms fire on April 9, 1968 leading a combat mission in Quang Tri province, South Vietnam. 
Sergeant Joseph R. Paulette was 19 years old at the time of his death in Vietnam.


Sgt Joseph Paulette
Sergeant Joseph Ronald Paulette


Sgt Joseph R. Paulette
Sergeant Joseph Ronald Paulette, street sign


Monday, November 11, 2013

Fallen Hero: Lance Corporal Lawrence E. Garron


Lance Corporal Lawrence E. Garron was born on September 27, 1948, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence E. Garron Sr. Lawrence lived with his parents and a sister at 1295 Pond St., went to grade schools in Franklin and then went to Boston Trade High School from which he was graduated in 1967. 
Corporal Garron enlisted in the Marine Corps in May of 1967 and had served overseas for 10
months. During his tour of duty in June of 1968, Cpl. Garron had been wounded and was hospitalized for eight weeks in Saigon from shrapnel wounds in the leg, for which he received the Purple Heart. 
Cpl. Garron later returned to- active duty where he became a casualty on September 21, 1968 when he was one of eight marines in a platoon of 15 men killed in the explosion of a mine while on patrol in Quang Nam province, Vietnam. 
L/Cpl Lawrence Garron
Lance Corporal Lawrence E. Garron

Lance Corporal Lawrence Garron Jr. was 19 years old at the time of his death in Vietnam.

L/Cpl Lawrence E Garron Jr
Lance Corporal Lawrence E. Garron

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Fallen Hero: Lance Corporal Richard Lincoln Desper


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 Lincoln Desper

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

desper sign 1
Lance Corporal Richard Lincoln Desper



Friday, May 31, 2013

"It’s almost as moving as the real thing"

The half-size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is in Medway through Sunday.

"It’s tough, but it’s satisfying," said Souza, who helped put up panel 30 West of the Wall, which includes the name of his childhood friend, Richie. 
Volunteers, including Leigh’s nephew George Grant of Medway, spent most of Thursday putting up the wall, which is managed by a Michigan-based nonprofit organization and includes more than 58,000 names. 
After the presentation of colors by the 1st Battalion, 25th Marines out of Devens, the ceremony was lead by Marines Staff Sgt. Robert Saleski of Medway, a Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient. 
Among the speakers was state Rep. Jeff Roy, D-Franklin, who said the monument is one of the "most powerful and moving tributes to personal sacrifice and national loss," including more than 1,000 soldiers from Massachusetts. 
"The names pay silent tribute to men and women from communities like this one," said Roy, who recalled being 7 when his neighbor was killed in Vietnam. "I can remember the sorrow at the dinner table, and the emptiness of my neighbors’ house."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1910061633/Moving-tribute-Vietnam-Wall-visits-Medway#ixzz2UrUY21yP


Monday, May 27, 2013

Moving Wall in Medway May 30 - June 2


Do not miss this opportunity to visit the half-size replica, which will be located at the Medway VFW on Holliston Street. 
An opening ceremony will be held Thursday, May 30, at 6 p.m., and a closing ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, June 2, at 5 p.m. The exhibit will be open 24 hours a day until Monday morning, June 3, and will be staffed by volunteers for your inquiries or individual needs. 
Materials will be available to do rubbings of names, should you desire to do so, in remembrance of a friend or loved one killed in action in the Vietnam War.

Looking for Names, Vietnam Moving Wall
Moving Wall


Read more: Downing: Vietnam Wall in Medway - Franklin, MA - Wicked Local Franklin http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/opinions/letters_to_the_editor/x776195863/Downing-Vietnam-Wall-in-Medway#ixzz2UUeMJNtP

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Moving Wall coming to Medway



As part of the FY14 budget, the House approved an amendment filed by Rep. Roy and Rep. Fernandes to allocate $15,000 towards the Moving Wall project for Medway. 
It will be on display in Medway from Thursday, May 30, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. until Monday, June 3, 2013 at 12:00 p.m. as part of Medway's 300th birthday celebration. It will be hosted at the Medway VFW on Holliston Street. 
The Moving Wall" is the half-size replica of the Washington, DC Vietnam Veterans Memorial and has been touring the country for more than twenty years. When John Devitt attended the 1982 dedication in Washington, he felt the positive power of "The Wall." He vowed to share that experience with those who did not have the opportunity to go to Washington. 

Town of Natick Moving Wall opening ceremony
Moving Wall in Natick Jun 2011


"Rep. Fernandes and I were honored to co-sponsor the amendment and secure the funds for this inspirational display of the war memorial in Medway," noted Rep. Roy. "We hope that many people from the area will get a chance to see and observe this fitting monument to our veterans." 
“ I was pleased and honored to join with my colleague, Rep. Roy, in cosponsoring this amendment, which if hopefully approved in the Senate and by the Governor, will serve as a fitting tribute to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to ensure our nation’s freedom,” added Rep. John Fernandes. “This beautiful memorial, if eventually authorized, will be viewed by thousands of Medway residents, regional visitors and statewide leaders.”

Sunday, November 11, 2012

"they kicked over a hornet’s nest"

One of the medal recipients honored on Friday tells his story in the Milford Daily News:
On Oct. 7, 1967, as the Vietnam War raged on, Robert Gardner, of Franklin, was awarded the Bronze Star medal, a commendation given to U.S. Army soldiers who display valor on the battlefield. 
Gardner was a first lieutenant commanding an armored cavalry platoon based in the area around the Bong Son River, in the western part of the country. 
Below is a summary of the day that earned Gardner his medal. It began like any other for a soldier rolling through the rice paddies, creeks and streams, under the blistering sun of Vietnam.
You can read the reminder of Robert Gardner's story here: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x794467153/Franklin-recipient-of-Bronze-Star-tells-his-story#ixzz2BuezUlE4

In case you missed the story of the Veterans Day ceremony held at the Franklin Senior Center on Friday
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/11/i-think-of-guys-who-sacrificed-for-us.html