Southbridge Pays
Tribute to Washington
Tablet Unveiled Memorial Dedicated at Post Office; Grant, Foss Speak
Article written by Estelle
Benoit,
Front Page of Southbridge
News, July 27, 1932
The
Washington Bicentennial and Post office Day parade marched down the flag-lined
streets of Southbridge last night with more than 2,000 spectators cheering
it on.
Leading
the parade of 300 marchers was Chief Ulric Brault, riding a sleek horse.He
was followed by members of the police department and the Sons of Italy
band.Franklin C. Monroe, marshal
and Wilfred Girard, bugler, were next in line.
Colonial Group
Barney Richard as a pioneer trapper riding his mule through town carried a primitive banner, a branch of a maple tree.He received a large ovation from the grinning crowd.
Junior
Club
Dressed
in colonial costumes, the Abraham Lincoln Junior Club, comprising girls
from eight to twelve years of age, rode sedately in a large yellow and
white float.Mrs. Rose Shepard,
their mother advisor, also dressed in colonial costume accompanied them.
The Joseph
Pilsudski, St. Stanislaus and Sons of Italy societies were well represented
by a large number of members.Ponce
auxiliary, V.S. W., and Malcolm Ammidown Woman’s Relief corps had floats
on which rode uniformed members.
In the line
of march also were the Veterans of Foreign Wars, postal employees, Veterans
of Spanish Wars, Sons of Union Veterans.
Corps
Makes Debut
The Southbridge
Aerie Fife, Bugle and Drum Corps made its official debut last night and
approximately 20 members marched and played.An
impromptu battle of music was stage as the Sons of Italy band and the corps
met in front of the post office.
The Boy
Scouts did their daily good turn yesterday at post office square in helping
with the directing of traffic.The
Girl Scouts led by their scout mistress, Mrs George Webber, marched in
line as did the Franco American societies.Guard
Rochambeau and the Junior Cadet team of the Guard.
The Gibraltar
Club was represented by a float depicting Washington crossing the Delaware.George
Lafleche was Washington somewhat resembled the “Father of Our Country”.
Selectmen
Take Part
Festus Faulkner, commander of Malcolm Ammidown post, GAR., Capt. William King of Charlton, senior vice-commander, and Israel Ledoux, junior vice-commander, rode behind the line of march as did Selectmen Valmore P. Tetreault and Leon A Caron.Rep. Wilfrid Lamoureux rode with the selectmen.Several members of the Girls’ Club rode in two decorated cars.
Rev. F. T. Kenyon, pastor of Elm St. Congregational church, gave the invocation which opened the program at the post office.J. E. Johnson, chairman of the Bicentennial committee presented the tablet which was unveiled by Commander Faulkner and Selectman Tetreault gave a speech of acceptance.
A group of parochial school children dressed as Washington gave vocal selections.
Dance
Ends Fête
Congressman Frank H. Foss of Fitchburg and George Grant were speakers of the evening and were introduced by Mr. Johnson.
Rev. Raoul Ouellette, curate at Notre Dame church, gave the benediction and then the crowd dispersed.
More than 400 persons attended the dance at the Town Hall that concluded the evening’s program.
Inscription on reverse side of the monument:
Erected
on the 157th Anniversary of US Postal Service
July
26th, 1932