The Braintree Bi-Centennial Time Capsule Story and its July 4th Event

The following is from The Braintree Bi-Centennial Time Capsule Society. For a full schedule of events for Wednesday's 9 a.m. ceremony, see below.

"Braintree's Most Unique Monument"

Called "Braintree's Most Unique Monument," the Time Capsule Cairn, which contains hundreds of items of Bi-Centennial memorabilia, also commemorates two very significant dates in the history of the UnitedStates of America: July 4, 1776 and September 3, 1783.

The Time Capsule Project was done to honor the Bi-Centennial of the Independence of the United States of America: July 4, 1776 - July 4, 1976; and the stone cairn itself was constructed on September 3, 1976; the 193rd anniversary of the signing of the Peace of Paris which ended the American Revolution, and granted Independence from the British Empire to the United States of America.

The originator of the Braintree Bi-Centennial Time Capsule was Mr. Melvin V. Miller of East Braintree. Mr. Miller decided that a Time Capsule would be an interesting and long term part of the Bi-CentennialCelebration in Braintree in 1976 and he organized and led a committee to carry out the project. Were it not for his vision in initiating this project Braintree would never have had a Bi-Centennial Time Capsule.

The person who supervised the collection of the hundreds of Bi-Centennial artifacts which are stored in the Time Capsule was Mrs. Nancy G. Nicosia of South Braintree. Mrs. Nicosia gathered photographs, letters, and other items including a $100.00 United States Savings Bond, donated by the Braintree Savings Bank, which will have a value of $27,508.08 when the Time Capsule is opened on July 4, 2076.

The person who developed the concept of an above ground Time Capsule, designed the stone cairn monument, and assisted the DeLuca Family with its construction, was Mr. Patrick J. Leonard, Sr., of North Braintree. Mr. Leonard's research into the Time Capsules of 1876, which had been buried in the earth, revealed that most could not be found by 1976; and that the contents of many of those which were located were severely damaged. Hence the idea for the 800 pound all steel Time Capsule, and the stone cairn which encases it.

The DeLuca Family of Quincy, under the direction of Mr. Cosmo DeLuca, a master mason originally from Italy, worked with his sons, Mario and Frank, and grandson, Matthew to build the cairn in one day. The steel tank which will protect the Bi-Centennial artifacts from the rigors of a century of New England winters is filled with argon, an inert gas. This was suggested by Harold Lloyd of Hingham, Wally Anderson of Canton, and Dr. Kulbir Singh of Poona, India.

Bacteriological decay of the artifacts should be prevented by the atmosphere of argon gas between 1976 and 2076. The "Braintree, England, Stone," which was placed at the base of the cairn on the Washington Street side, was a gift of the Rotary Club of Braintree and Bocking, Essex, England. The stone came by sea to our Braintree and became part of the monument on Sunday, November 7, 1976, completing the final detail of the construction.

On November 1, 2009 the stone cairn was voluntarily restored by Braintree professional stone masons John M. Mahoney and Hilding A. Larson; making the monument ready once again to endure the decades ofNew England weather until July 4, 2076!

An illustrated book on the history of the monument, entitled: The Braintree Bi-Centennial Time Capsule and Time Capsule Cairn - A Bi-Centennial Project of the People of Braintree, Massachusetts 1975-1976, is available for review in the reference collection of the Thayer Public Library.

Program for Wednesday, July 4, 2012

9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. at Town Hall.

The Stars and Stripes Forever

The Official March of the United States of America

Call to Order

Therese Donovan-Jarrett, President 2011-2016 - Braintree Bi-Centennial Time Capsule Society

Ringing of Braintree's Liberty Bell to officially start the ceremony

Master mason Mario C. DeLuca and Mrs. Dina J. DeLuca. Representing the DeLuca Family; builders of the Time Capsule Cairn Monument.

Invocation

Mr. Russell F. Dupuis, Sr., Chaplain - Braintree Chapter 29, Disabled American Veterans

Posting the Colors - The Entrance of the Flag of the United States of America

United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Color Guard from Division 12

John P. Thompson, Past Commander, Braintree Veterans Council

Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

Led by members of the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts

National Anthem - The Star Spangled Banner

Ms. Kelsey L. Fritz - a capella soloist

Placement of Memorial Wreaths at the Veterans Mall, Presentation of Representatives of Braintree's Veteran's Organizations

Braintree Post 86 American Legion Commander Alfred W. Varraso

Braintree Chapter 29 Disabled American Veterans Commander William W. Varroso

Braintree Post 1702 Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander Ralph W. Cochran

Braintree Veteran's Council Commander Stan Pratt

America the Beautiful

Ms. Kelsey L. Fritz - a capella soloist

The origin, history and meaning of "Braintree's Most Unique Monument" the Braintree Time Capsule Cairn

Aaron Yu, Valedictorian of the Braintree High School Class of 2013, selected by the professional guidance staff of BHS to represent the schoolat today's July 4, 2012 Time Capsule Inspection Ceremony.

Flag Procession of Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, and Little League

Scouts will circle the Town Hall Mall and then be seated at the Civil War Monument. BBTCS Braintree Little League Baseball Team members will join with the Scouts.

Pass in Review - The National Colors of the Civil War Era

22nd Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, commanded by Sergeant Major Rick Janhola

Civil War Memorial Address

First Lieutenant Michael Welch, 22nd Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry

Placement of Memorial Wreath and Bouquets on the Civil War "Braintree Soldiers Monument" - Firing of Volleys

In memory and in honor of all of those who died in the Service of Our Nation from 1861 to 1865. The officers and men of the 22nd MVI and "The Ladies in Black".

The Battle Hymn of the Republic

Ms. Kelsey L. Fritz - a capella soloist

Time Capsule Cairn Inspection Report - 2012

Prepared by Braintree Town Clerk Mr. Joseph F. Powers, CMMC, to be read by Therese Donovan-Jarrett, BBTCS President 2011-2016

Presentation of awards to the BBTCS Braintree American Little League Team

David B. Miller, BBTCS Past President 1996-2001

Presentation of BBTCS Honorary Memberships: engraved medals and certificates Mrs. Therese Donovan Jarrett, BBTCS President 2011-2016

Master mason Mario C. DeLuca and Mrs. Dina J. DeLuca. Representing the DeLuca Family - builders of the Time Capsule Cairn.

Honorary Memberships are presented in formal recognition and ingrateful appreciation for outstanding service supporting thepatriotic and historical ceremonies and projects of theBraintree Bi-Centennial Time Capsule Society.

Re-Enactment of the Signing the Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776 - July 4, 2012 The 236th Anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America

18th century re-enactor Matthew Mees, President of the Braintree Historical Society, in the role of Braintree-born Second Continental Congress President John Hancock on July 4, 1776when President Hancock signed the Declaration of Independence.

Fourth of July Keynote Address

State Senator Brian A. Joyce

Placement of Memorial Wreath on the Bi-Centennial Time Capsule Cairn

In honor of all of the citizens of Braintree who have served our Nation in the past; who are serving our Nation now, and who will serve our Nation in the future. Mrs. Therese Donovan Jarrett, representing Mayor Joseph C. Sullivan.

Ringing of Braintree's Liberty Bell

In honor of deceased members and supporters of the Bi-Centennial Time Capsule Project. Mrs. Therese Donovan-Jarrett BBTCS President 2011-2016 and the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts.

God Bless America

Ms. Kelsey L. Fritz - a capella Soloist

Retiring the Colors

John P. Thompson, Past Commander, Braintree Veterans Council

Benediction

Mr. Russell F. Dupuis, Sr., Chaplain, Chapter 29, DAV

Ringing of Braintree's Liberty Bell to officially end the ceremony

Master mason Mario C. DeLuca and Mrs. Dina J. DeLuca.