Police, American Legion to honors veterans
Story by Ken Powers Community Reporter

Northborough Police Sgt. Joe Glavin (left) and Patrolman Nathan Fiske present Jerry Bourque of American Legion Post 234 a check for $4,200 for the Memorial Squares that will be placed throughout town to honor residents who perished in World War II and the Korean War. PHOTO/KEN POWERS

Northborough - Upon hearing that the Vincent F. Picard American Legion Post 234 planned to place 11 Memorial Squares throughout town to honor residents who gave their lives in the service of their country in World War II and the Korean War, the Northborough Police Department's Patrolman's Association couldn't step forward to help fast enough.  

At the urging of Sgt. Joe Galvin, the association met, received a presentation about the Memorial Squares from Jerry Bourque, Post 234's World War II Memorial Committee chair, and then voted unanimously to provide whatever funding Bourque needed to finish the project.

Earlier this month, Galvin and Patrolman's Association President Nathan Fiske presented Bourque and Legion Post 234 with a check for $4,200 for the completion of the project.

When he presented his plan for the Memorial Squares to the Board of Selectmen last month, Bourque said the total cost of the project would be about $6,000, but that Post 234 wanted to pay for the first Memorial Square, which would be in honor of U.S. Army Private First Class Francis McShane, an infantry rifleman killed in action Feb. 22, 1944, in Cisterna, Italy.

Bourque said at his presentation to the Board of Selectmen that the Memorial Square for McShane would be completed in time to be dedicated Memorial Day morning. He hoped the remaining 10 Memorial Squares would be placed in time to be dedicated on Veterans Day, providing funding could be obtained.

The Northborough Patrolman's Association has taken care of the financial hurdle and Fiske said the hope is that all 11 Memorial Squares can be dedicated Memorial Day morning.

Also honored with memorials would be: Army Air Corps Staff Sgt. Charles A. Newton, who died in a plane crash in Chelveston, England, Nov. 15, 1943; Capt. Francis E. Flanders, company commander within the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment 82nd Airborne Division, who died in Normandy, France, June 7, 1944; Army Air Corps Staff Sgt. Pasquale Acampora, who died in a B-25 Mitchell plane crash in Nadzab, New Guinea, June 11, 1944; Army PFC Joseph E. Demont, with the First Armored Division, who died in Italy June 24, 1944; and Army Capt. James W. Gregg, who died in Italy July 26, 1944.

In addition, memorials would be dedicated to: Army Air Corps First Lt. Maxwell J. Stadler, a bombardier, also known as Maxwell Ford, who died in a plane crash while leading a bombing raid in Holland Nov. 3, 1944; Army Private Robert E. Robertson, who died in Germany Dec. 15, 1944; Army PFC Raymond J. Boudreau, with the 87th Division, who died in Medelsheim, Germany, Dec. 23, 1944; Navy Chief Quartermaster Earl M. Askew, who was buried at sea in the Pacific Theater Nov. 25, 1945; and Army PFC William Hollis Hinkson, a casualty of the Korean War, who died in Korea Feb. 13, 1951, while serving with the Second Infantry Division.

"The association believed strongly that this was something we needed to be involved in," Fiske said. "I think everybody in the association feels a bond to these fallen heroes. They were out there serving and protecting our country and we're out there serving and protecting our community. We thought it would be a perfect fit for us to contribute and be involved in this program."

Each memorial will consist of a six- or seven-foot pole, plaque and two flags. Bourque hopes to place them all along Route 20 or as close to Route 20 as possible, so people driving through town can see them.