World War II Radioman Provides Memorable Moment During Sharon's Memorial Day Activities

This afternoon, a World War II radioman named Rocky left an impression during Sharon's Memorial Day activities.

Rocky placed a wreath at Sharon's World War II memorial at Rock Ridge Cemetery, then saluted the monument.

"He was walking down the hlll and going very slowly, and taking his time, and struggling a little bit, picked up the wreath, laid that down with a little bit of a struggle," Selectmen Chairman Richard Powell noted to the crowd during a civic ceremony in the Sharon Town Offices parking lot.

"But then, as soon as he stood up and put that wreath down, you could see he snapped off a salute to his comrades in memory.

"To me, it really summed up a lot of what we're doing here: remembering those who gave their lives for their country. And you could tell by the enthusiasm by which he snapped off that salute that he really felt good being here. And I think we should all feel good about being here as well."

Sharon's Memorial Day activities began with the graveside ceremony at Rock Ridge, on East Street near Mountain Street.

Standing next to the World War I monument, Veterans Agent Bergeron read from a past Memorial Day column by syndicated columnist Dan Warner, which included the poem, "In Flanders Fields."

Also standing near the World War I monument, Sons of the American Legion past national commander Clifford Smith read the names of the Sharon residents who were killed in action while serving in the military, during the Civil War, World War I, World War II and the Vietnam War.

As Smith read, members of Sharon Boy Scout Troop 95 placed geraniums next to the 10 flags in front of the World War II monument, near East Street.

Then, simultaneously, Rocky and Sharon American Legion Post 106 Commander Hilary Maguire placed wreaths at the World War II and World War I monuments, respectively. They did the same at the monuments in front of the Sharon Town Offices.

"Rocky was a radioman in World War II," Bergeron said at Rock Ridge Cemetery.

"He received his injury when he was communicating for his company commander and he received some incoming. And regrettably, his company commander did not return to the United States."

After the gravesite ceremony, a parade was held from Bradford Avenue, behind the and the town hall, to Post Office Square, to Pond Street and back to town hall for the civic ceremony.

The Sharon School Department provided a van for veterans wishing to participate yet concerned about walking the distance.

During the civic ceremony, students George Goldman, Emilia Titus and Pooja Puttigampala read from essays they wrote about Memorial Day.

"Memorial Day is a day that should not be forgotten, and has so much more meaning to it than we really think," Puttigampala said.

"The soldiers that died fighting died for us. They wanted one thing: to make America a better place. And so far, they've done an amazing job."

Powell presented each of the three students with a certificate from the board of selectmen.