MAY 30, 1949 LORDSHIP UNVEILS HEROES MEMORIAL 1,000 Participate in Dedicating Shaft to Six Killed In War “We live in a world of tension and crisis, we are living in peace, a troubled peace, in a restless world,” Colonel Raymond Watt, commanding officer of the 242nd AAA Connecticut National Group and secretary to Congressman John Davis Lodge, said at dedication exercises of a granite war memorial in Lordship yesterday afternoon. The memorial, a six foot granite shaft, erected by the Stratford Volunteer Fire Company No. 3 in memory of the residents of the Lordship district of Stratford who served in World War II has inscribed on it the names of six youths of the area who paid the supreme sacrifice, Joseph W. Costello, William C. Hall, Robert J. Jacob, John L. Redman, Frank L. Sharron and Richard V. Tiburzi. More than 1,000 persons participated in the first ceremonies of its kind ever to take place in the Lordship district. The program started with a street parade from the Lordship firehouse east on Prospect Drive to Stratford Road to the intersection of Stratford Road, Pauline and Jefferson Streets, where the memorial had been set in place by Nicholas Torsiello of the Honeyspot Monument Works, designers of the shaft. Town Manager Harry Flood, Council Chairman Peter Ring, Junior Councilman Frank Larkin, Seventh district and Colonel Watt led the parade formation followed by four jeeps carrying the National Guard firing squad commanded by First Sergeant Joseph Kundruth. A Girl Scout carrying a wreath flanked by a Boy Scout and Sea Scout followed the National Guard with the members of the Volunteer Fire Company led by their colors bringing up the rear of the First division. The high school band directed by Robert Lenox led the second group followed by the Anderson-Dunn-Kochiss Post, American Legion, Honor Guard, colors led by Joseph Barrett, commander and the Raymond Goldbach Post, VFW, drill team led by Hugh Hoyt commander. The final section of the parade was led by the Lordship School Fife, Drum and Bugle Corps and was followed by members of the Lordship Boy Scout, Girl Scout and Sea Scout organizations. Frederick Biebel Sr., chairman of the War Memorial committee opened the ceremonies at the Memorial Green where a grandstand had been erected for the occasion, by introducing Mr. Ring who acted as master of ceremonies. Mr. Ring expressed the hope the ceremonies would be continued each year in memory “of those who gave so much that we might enjoy the fruits of freedom.” Mrs. Martha Purcell, accompanied by the high school band sang the “Star Spangled Banner” and the Reverend Dale Beittel, Pastor of the Lordship Community Church, gave the invocation. The high school band followed with the playing of a hymn and Mr. Flood congratulated the spirit of the Fire Department members in contributing the memorial to the community. Mrs. Catherine Hamlin president of the Gold Star Mothers Organization in the area was introduced. Captain James Atkins of the volunteer fire company made the formal presentation of the monument which was unveiled by two members of the organization after which a memorial wreath was placed at its base by a delegation of Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Sea Scouts. Commander Barrett read the American Legion Memorial service. Commander Hoyt expressed the pleasure of this organization in being able to participate in the services. The Reverend John Walsh, Pastor of Our Lady of Peace Church, pronounced the benediction followed by the firing of a volley by the National Guard firing squad and the sounding of “Taps” by Anthony Malafronte Jr. The high school band furnished music for singing of “America the Beautiful” and the services concluded with the raising of the colors to full staff. At the close of the ceremonies Mr. Ring announced that a Mass in memory of deceased servicemen will be celebrated in Our Lady of Peace Church this morning at 8 o’clock by Father Walsh. Colonel Watt said “We are gathered here to honor boys who died much too young. Will we measure up to the lessons they have written for us in their life’s blood? They died with faith that we who live would carry on, to redeem their sacrifice and build a better world for posterity. Thanks to the heroic dead who fought to preserve our nation at various times in our history, we live a noble heritage.
1943 Lordship Memorial |
1949 Memorial Green Dedication |
1947 Lordship Green |
Lordship Green 1947 |
1958 Memorial Service |
MAY 25, 1951 - JAMES HARTMAN TO SPEAK AT FIREMEN'S MEMORIAL: James R. Hartman, survivor of the Bataan "Death March", will be the principal speaker at the Memorial Sunday exercises to be sponsored by the Lordship Volunteer Fire Company Sunday at 2:30 pm., Fred K. Biebel, Sr., chairman has announced. There will be a parade from the Lordship firehouse along Prospect Drive to Stratford Road to the War Memorial at Pauline Street and Jefferson Street. The American Legion drum corps, Blessed Sacrament drum corps of Bridgeport and the Lordship School band will provide music. In the parade will be Town Manager Harry B. Flood, members of the Town council, Police Chief Patrick J. Flanagan, members of Raymond T. Goldbach post, VFW, with color guard and auxiliary, Stratford Navy Mothers, Lordship Brownies, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Cubs and Sea Scouts, Auxiliary police, Fairfield Fire department, Lordship Fathers Club and Marine Corps league. Mrs. E. A. Vickery will sing the National Anthem and the Rev. John F. X. Walsh, pastor of Our Lady of Peace Church, the Rev. Buckner Coe, pastor of the Lordship Community Church, and Irving Block, rabbinical student, will speak. Anthony Malafronte, Jr., will sound taps.