Fallen Hero: Private First Class Frank Grzyboski, U.S. Army

Private First Class Frank Grzyboski, U.S. Army, was born March 7, 1924 the son of Eliash and Wictorya Grzyboski and lived with his parents, four sisters and two brothers during his early years in Framingham. Frank came to live here in Franklin with his sister, Mary Vendetti, at 131 East Street, the residence from which he enlisted on March 22, 1943. PFC Frank Grzyboski was a member of the 290th Infantry Division which was stationed in Missouri. 

Frank was a hunter and a family story about him is as follows: “Frank had caught a pheasant which he had stuffed. His sister, Mary, had possession of the stuffed pheasant and kept it on top of a flat corrugated cardboard closet. One night while Mary was lying on her bed, the pheasant fell over. Mary thought nothing of this event until she later got word that her brother, Frank, had died at 7 pm that very same day the bird had fallen over. 

Private First Class Frank Grzyboski, U.S. Army, died on June 5, 1943 during a shooting training accident. 

PFC Frank Grzyboski was 19 years old at the time of his death serving his country during World War II.

Fallen Hero: PFC Frank Grzyboski

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

Fallen Hero: Lieutenant (jg) Howard T. Feeley, U.S. Navy

Lieutenant (jg) Howard T. Feeley of the U.S. Naval Air Corps was born on August 25, 1916, son of Dr. J. Henry and Helen Howard Feeley. Howard lived at 21 School Street with his parents, one sister and one brother. Howard was a graduate of Franklin High School and attended Boston University and the University of Maine before entering the Naval Air Corps. 

Lieutenant (jg) Howard Feeley saw considerable action as a patrol commander aboard the famous Catalina flying boats. The Catalinas hunted U-boat packs and surface raiders in the Carribean and Atlantic. LTJG Feeley was also squadron commander of a flight of heavy planes which saw much action in Africa. He aided in the rescue of survivors of torpedoed ships, and carried cargoes of men, machinery, mail, food and weapons in addition to his regular patrol work. 

Lieutenant (jg) Howard T. Feeley lost his life on July 5, 1943 in a take-off crash at Deland, Florida, ironically after he had seen considerable combat action during the previous year. In the recent months prior to his death, LTJG Feeley had been training a new squadron of the navy’s newest bombers which were to be used as anti-submarine weapons. 

Lieutenant (jg) Howard T. Feeley was 26 years old at the time of his death on July 5, 1943 while serving his country during World War II.

Fallen Hero: LTJG Howard Feeley

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

FHS Construction Update - and then there were windows!

I stopped by the high school on Saturday to check on the construction progress. The windows that carry the architectural feature of the Franklin Library to the new building are now getting installed.

Significant work on the parking lot and exit road are also underway and expected to be finished by the time school opens this August. No, the new high school won't be ready until Sep 2014 but the parking lot will be done now.

The photos from Saturday are as follows:

windows

windows looking sharp!

and more windows!

all the wall stages in view

another view of all the wall stages

parking lot work underway

another view of the parking lot

what will be the exit

today's entrance is two way

view from Oak St of the exit and existing high school

Additional status photos of the building project and other related posts can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/12/collection-high-school-building-project.html

Franklin Library: Underground Picassos

What is an underground Picasso?
An artist who lives to make their mark in the urban jungle or streetscape.

graffiti art

"before we deem it safe for people to go out there"

The disc golf course at Dacey Fields is looking for volunteers to help finish it, rather than folks to play it. Milford Daily News reports in an article in the Weds edition:

Though rough, the course has quickly become popular. But Jette would prefer that people wait until the department finishes its work, urging patience. 

"We are not advertising it for people to get out and play," he said. 

The course has even found fans beyond town lines. Jette said the department recently received a request from the New England Flying Disc Association to stage a tournament there. 

It’s not hard to find players, as the state has a strong disc golf community. "It seems to be a very fast-growing sport," he said. "There are probably about 20 courses in Massachusetts. There are even disc golf stores."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1383332507/Franklin-disc-golf-course-still-taking-shape#ixzz2c2Njdr2O

Fallen Hero: Private First Class Lloyd M. Ellis, U.S. Army

Private First Class Lloyd M. Ellis, U.S. Army, born on December 8, 1921, was the son of Charles and Margaret Ellis, of 730 Union Street. For many years, Lloyd made his home here in Franklin with Mr. and Mrs. Warren Thayer of Fales Street. Lloyd attended the Franklin Schools and was graduated from Franklin High School in 1939 where he was a popular and talented member of his class. 

On November 14, 1942 Lloyd married the former Dorothy Brown of Franklin and he was employed as a machinist up until the time he entered the service of his country on September 13, 1943. After training, PFC Lloyd M. Ellis was sent overseas for combat in March of 1944. 

Private First Class Lloyd M. Ellis was killed in action in France on June 12, 1944 during the height of the battle following the American invasion of that country. 

Private First Class Lloyd M. Ellis was 22 years old at the time of his death during the invasion of France against the German forces.

Fallen Hero: PFC Lloyd Ellis

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.

Fallen Hero: PFC Elton Ekstrom