City to Pay Tribute to WWII Hero, Father of Peabody Little League

City officials and local veterans will make a special dedication Tuesday to the late Edward G. Chmiel, better known in Peabody as "Mr. Little League."

Chmiel, who died in 2008 at the age of 88, is credited with starting up Peabody Little League in 1951 and received the Bronze Star for his service in World War II.

He was active in the Peabody Veterans Council, a vice-commander and treasurer for the Polish Legion of American Veterans Post 63 and active in other local Polish organizations.

Chmiel, a Peabody native, earned his Bronze Star after serving with the U.S. Army Air Corps in France at the Battle of the Bulge. The medal is awarded either for acts of heroism, acts of merit or meritorious service in a combat zone.

After returning home from the war, Chmiel worked as an auto mechanic for many years and coached Little League for 33 of them.

He also served as the league's president and stored most of the equipment in his barn for many years.

Mayor Ted Bettencourt and the Peabody Veterans Council will host a ceremony Tuesday at 4 p.m. where a dedication will be made first at the Little League field at James Street Park.

The public is invited to attend and then cross the street to the playground for a ribbon cutting to celebrate a new addition to the play space and help plant something to beautify the area.