Tri-County RVTHS Carpentry Students Build Pearl Harbor Display Case

Juniors and Senior Carpentry Students Build New Cabinet for North Attleboro Town Hall

Edward “Shorty” Ruest

Antonio Morabito reached out to Tri-County last year for a new display case to house their Pearl Harbor memorabilia. The cabinet showcases an article about the Pearl Harbor Bombings and photos taken at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, by Edward “Shorty” Ruest, a North Attleboro resident serving in the Navy as a Seaman 1st Class aboard the USS Independence during World War II. Ruest had 10-battle stars denoting his combat battles with enemy forces and was a Purple Heart Recipient.

The case is flanked by the American Flag and a POW/MIA Flag. It hangs above an empty memorial chair in honor of POW/MIAs. The project was worked on throughout the 2021-2022 school year and was built using solid wood and a glass sliding door purchased from local small business, Franklin Glass Company. 

Pearl Harbor Display Case

Seniors Israel Pereira of Blackstone and Connor Bertram of Franklin built the cabinet between projects with the guidance of their teachers, Mark Spillane and Jeremy Barstow, and finished days before graduation. 

Conner Jackson of North Attleboro, Sam Sepulveda of Medway, and Justin DeMarino of Plainville (Class of 2023) helped deliver the new case to the North Attleboro Town Hall, where it is installed in the lobby. 

“It was an absolute pleasure working with the Tri County students. We were impressed with their enthusiasm and their pride in craftsmanship. We are pleased to have their work house an important piece of North Attleboro history prominently displayed in our Town Hall,” commented Antonio Morabito, Assistant Town Manager of North Attleboro.