Veterans Of Foreign Wars
Programs
Veterans Memorial Park
After four years of planning, meetings, fund raising and
construction, Veterans Memorial Park was completed.
On 29 August 2004 the World War II Honor Roll at Veterans
Memorial Park was dedicated as a lasting tribute to the
612 brave men and women from Easton, fourteen of whom died,
who sacrificed to make the world a safer place.
The basis for the design of Veterans Memorial Park is the
circle, representing the unity of resolve expressed by our
country and its allies in defending freedom. The circle
is executed in a band of granite and in the circular stone
wall. The wall is not continuous. It is interupted to reflect
the disruption in the lives of all who were involved in
the war.
Three stones placed in the break in the wall represent
the areas where the war was fought; land, sea, and air.
Upon the stones are the names of those who served from the
town of Easton. Central to the design is the flagpole, rising
from a field of green and upon which our national symbol
will fly, illuminated, twenty-four hours a day.
Behind the wall, hawthorn trees are planted representing
the hawthorn hedges of France through which our troops struggled
after D-Day. English ivy, Russian cypress and Chinese cotoneaster
are added to complete the tribute to our major allies. All
other plants are native to America.
Korean War Honor Roll
On Sunday, 17 September 2006, eight new stones were added
to the Veterans Memorial Park. The new stones represent
Sentry's standing guard at the field of green within the
granite circle in front of the World War II Honor Roll.
The names inscribed on the four stones to the left of the
circle are those of citizens of Easton who joined the military
services during the Korean War to protect democracy and
the liberty enjoyed by all Americans.
Plans for the Veterans Memorial Park include adding the
Vietnam Honor Roll (phase III). September 2007 has been
tentatively scheduled for dedication of Phase III.
Funding of the Veterans Memorial Park is made possible
by donations for individual paving bricks installed on the
park pathways. A $100.00 donation provides one brick with
three engraved lines of eighteen characters (including spaces).
Requests for paving bricks (including the donation of $100.00)
should be forwarded to VFW Post 2547, P.O. Box 103, North
Easton, MA 02356.
Memorial Services for Deceased Veterans
Upon notification of the death of a veteran honorable separated
from military service, members of the George F. Schindler
Post 2547 will conduct a memorial service.
The Commander and Post Officers perform the memorial service
for deceased members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in
accordance with the ritual prescribed by the Veterans of
Foreign Wars.
Under the leadership of David Brown (508-238-6280), memorials
are conducted for deceased veterans not members of the Veterans
of Foreign Wars.
Voice of Democracy
Since 1947 the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans
of Foreign Wars premier scholarship program.
Each year more than 100,000 high school students compete
for more than 2.5 millon dollars in scholarships and incentives.
Students compete by writing and recording a broadcast scipt
on a patriotic theme. Prizes are awarded at the local (Post)
, District and State levels.
This year there were 35 Oliver Ames High School sudents
whose participipation was, and has been for many years,
supervised by Edward Hands, Chairman of the History Department.
All received awards.
Oliver Ames High School Voice of Democracy recipients for
the 2005-2006 academic year were:
Stacie Binney
Stephanie Callahan
Christian Fagan
Matthew Solov
Matthew Solov, who won local (Post) and District 6 competitions,
recited his essay at the 2006 Veterans Day parade at the
Veterans Memorial Park
Pvt. George F. Schindler Post 2547 Scholarship
The Scholarship is awarded annually to high school graduates
entering undergraduate studies who are children/grandchildren
of members of the Private George F. Schindler Post Post
2547.
2006 Graduate/Recipients
Kaitlyn Bryant - Oliver Ames High School
Ryan M. Hagerty - Oliver Ames High School
Evan Lima - Oliver Ames High School
Victoria Palm - Oliver Ames High School
Antonia M. Purcillo - Oliver Ames High School
Jennifer L. Szymanski - Oliver Ames H.S.
Gabrielle Talbot - Oliver Ames High School
Kristen Welch - Oliver Ames High School
Stephanie M. Ataman - Bridgewater-Raynham H.S.
Hall Rentals
The Private George F. Schindler Post 2547 hall is available
for rental. Contact Kathy Quist at 508-238-9063
