New Veterans Remembrance Program Launches!
New Veterans’ Remembrance Ceremony Program Launches
The VFW and American Legion Posts, under the auspices of the Franklin Veterans’ Council, have created a Memorial Program that will recognize and honor Franklin’s 45 Fallen Heroes on the anniversary of their deaths each year.
Conceived and spearheaded by Ernest Carruthers, Commander of VFW Post 3402 and Dick Hynes, Vice Commander of American Legion Post 75, the program launches on January 26, 2024. On that date, a red, white and blue memorial wreath will be placed on WWII Veteran William O. Martello’s pedestal on the Veterans Memorial Walkway on the Town Common, for the day. A bugler will play “Taps” and a short reading about Martello’s service will be given. Martello, an Ensign in the U.S. Navy, died at Anzio Beach in Italy when his landing craft struck a mine.
Throughout the year, all 45 Fallen Heroes will be honored with a memorial ceremony. Members of the community are welcome to attend these ceremonies which will occur at 9:00 a.m. on these dates:
January 26 – William O. Martello - WWII
February 18 – Alan W. Willard - Vietnam
February 22 – James P. Murray - WWI
February 24 – David Laughlan III - WWII
February 26 – Richard L. Desper - Vietnam
March 10 – Marshall E. Rollins - WWII
March 10 – John A. Schur - WWII
March 18 – Elton E. Ekstrom - WWII
March 30 – W. Franklin Lynch - WWI
April 9 – Joseph R. Paulette - Vietnam
April 9 – Russell W. Shaw - Vietnam
April 17 – John J. Kell - WWII
April 30 – John E. Pasquantonio - Vietnam
May 11 – Charles Christakes - WWII
June 1 – William G. Hosford - WWII
June 5 – Frank Gryzboski - WWII
June 12 – Lloyd M. Ellis - WWII
June 14 – Timothy J. Hayes - WWII
June 15 – Elijah H. Coldwell - WWI
June 20 - Edward A Kelly - WWII
June 24 – Baldo S. Lazzerini - WWII
July 5 – Howard T. Feeley - WWII
July 17 – Gerald M. Parmenter - WWII
July 18 – Alesandro Patete - WWI
July 18 – Patrick Ristaino - WWI
July 30 – Anthony J. Mucciarone - WWII
August 15 – Jules Perret - WWII
August 15 – Robert R. Pirelli - Iraq
August 20 – Edward. C. Dailey - WWII
August 20 - John W. Wyllie, Jr. - WWII
September 9 – David Bullukian - WWII
September 18 – Levi Pieri - WWI
September 21 – Lawrence E. Garron, Jr. - Vietnam
September 21- Alfred L. Mucciarone - WWI
September 25 – Frank J. Smith - WWI
October 5 – Edward. L. Grant - WWI
October 6 – Shayne M. Cabino - Iraq
October 10 – Emilio Daddario - WWI
November 6 – Jay Stone Davis - WWI
November 7 – Lawrence J. Clark - WWI
November 11 – Daniel E. McCahill - WWII
November 30 – Robert L. Cummings - WWII
December 6 – Harry R. Bean - Korea
December 28 – Charles E. Mason - WWII
Unknown – Albert E. Johnson - WWI
In the event of inclement weather, except for light rain, the ceremony will be postponed to the following day at 9:00 a.m.