Health & Fitness
Hero Squares
Two Charlestown squares named in honor of 2nd LT Meehan & PFC Philip Foley, Charlestown's native sons.
Sunday I attended the dedication of two "Hero Squares" in Charlestown. The first was at the corner of Belmont and Bunker Hill Streets. It was dedicated to 2nd Lt George R Meehan who enlisted from a home two doors up from his corner. Lt Meehan was a member of the 1st Infantry Division who was mortally wounded on October 5th 1918 in France during WWI.
The second "Hero Square" was dedicated on the corner of Pearl and Bunker Hill Streets in honor of PFC Philip J Foley who was killed in WWII during the Battle of the Bulge. Philip was born on July 17th 1916 and lived on School, Cross and Pearl Streets in Charlestown. He was the son of Edward and Helen Foley and was one of three brothers that served in WWII. During the war Philip was a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division, “The All American Division.”
Pictured with the Foley family is Bill Durette of the Charlestown Historical Society. Bill, in addition to doing all the research on Charlestown's military history, is a WWII renenactor. He is also responsible for all the information I have just blogged.
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The next opening of the Charlestown Veterans History Project Exhibit Hall at 20 City Square will take place on Saturday May 26th between 1:00PM – 4:00PM to commemorate Memorial Day. Several new exhibits will be on display. Persons are invited to come down and register any Veteran who came from Charlestown who served in WWI, WWII and Korea. Thanks to Bill Durette of Charlestown Veterans History Project.