Our last two columns, being dedicated as they were to Memorial Day, were focused on two Attleboro servicemen who lost their lives in that conflict. In order not to slight any area servicemen who made the supreme sacrifice, the following is a list of those Vietnam casualties up to 1968:
Attleboro
Marine Cpl. Joseph E. Nimiroski, Dec. 18, 1965
Navy Hm. Robert E. Burns, May 13, 1967
Marine Lance Cpl. Gary F. Flynn, Sept. 13, 1967
Air Force Second Lt. Francis M. Driscoll, Feb. 29, 1968
Army Spec. Joseph E. Falardeau, Aug. 23, 1968
Marine Lance Cpl. Laurence O. Woodson, Sept. 10, 1968
In addition, my old friend from Holman Street, Army Specialist 4 Hubert (Danny) Sutton, and yet another friend from Falmouth Street, Sgt. David J. Coyne were casualties of Vietnam, but I'm afraid I don't have the dates of their passing.
North Attleboro
Gunnery Sgt. Paul E. Robitaille, Feb. 23, 1968
Navy Corpsman Richard N. Pinsonneault, July 7, 1968
Army 1st Lt. Robert J. Gillespie Jr., Aug. 11, 1968
Rehoboth
Marine 1st Lt. Craig Waterman, July 30, 1967
Mansfield
Army Cpl. James Albertini, Feb. 13, 1968
Foxboro
Army Pfc. Gerald E. Metcalf, May 22, 1966
Marine Cpl. Robert Curry, March 30, 1967
Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph F. Cook, May 10, 1968
Army Pfc. Terry Baldwin, Aug. 6, 1968
Before leaving this trail of tears, a private aside to the unknown person who removed an American flag from my front lawn on Memorial Day. On Memorial Day, I place a flag for each personal friend of mine that never returned to the country they loved and fought for. Although I don't think you understand the meaning behind it, you're welcome to keep the flag, but also understand you're welcome to knock on my front door any day and we can sit on the porch while I tell you about the soldier and friend that flag represents.
Moving to the lighter side, I thought you might enjoy this winsome piece from the Attleboro Sun of July 23, 1968. Although some unions today seem to have lost their focus, it makes understanding why they came to pass a bit easier.
Old Office Rules Would Cause City Hall Problems
Employees at the Attleboro City Hall are enjoying reading a new list of office regulations being distributed by Mayor Thomas A Piggott. The list, actually a group of nine rules enforced by Zachary U. Geiger, proprietor of the Mount Cory Carriage and Wagon Works less than 100 years ago in the U.S. would cause some hardship if presently enforced at City Hall.
Lawrence R Fitton, Attleboro supervisor of planning and zoning, for example, would be required to spend more time in housekeeping duties than with zoning problems. The regulations, which, under the title "Be Worthy of Your Hire" follow:
1. Office employees will daily sweep the floors, dust the furniture, shelves and showcases.
2. Each day fill lamps, clean chimneys, and trim wicks. Wash windows once a week.
3. Each clerk will bring in a bucket of water and a scuttle of coal for the days business.
4. Make your pens carefully. You may whittle nibs to your individual taste.
5. This office will be open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. daily, except on the Sabbath, on which day it will remain closed.
6. Men employees will be given an evening off each week for courting, or two evenings a week if they go regularly to church.
7. Every employee should lay aside from each pay a goodly sum of his earnings for his benefits during his declining years, so that he will not become a burden upon the charity of his betters.
8. Any employee who smokes Spanish cigars, uses liquor in any form, gets shaved at a barbershop, or frequents pool or public halls, will give me good reason to suspect his worth, intentions, integrity and honesty.
9. The employee who has performed his labors faithfully and without fault for the period of five years in my employ, who has been thrifty and attentive to his religious duties, is looked upon by his fellow man as a substantial and law-abiding citizen, will be given an increase of five cents per day in his pay, providing a just return in profits from the business permits it.
Fitton occupies a corner of the dusty municipal council chambers up on the top floor of City Hall. In addition to the dusting and floor cleaning necessary, Fitton would have to clean windows that have not been washed for some time should these regulations be effective today.
Kind of makes me wish I could resurrect Zachary Geiger, if only to ask him, "What?"
Closing thoughts
Sincerest condolences to wife Grace, daughter Ann-Marie, sons Stephen and Christopher and particularly his sister Elena (Roca) Clarke on the death of Carmine "Gus" Roca. The Rocas lived in my old Holman Street neighborhood and before I was old enough to attend school, I'd sit on the front porch and the teenaged Gus and Elena and I would exchange greetings as they passed.
Sometime back, due to an unreliable source, I erroneously wrote of the passing of my well-known old friend Norman"Numbzy" Tremblay ; sadly, a very good information source, Ron Carlstrom Sr., Norm's brother-in-law, now tells me that he has indeed passed on in New Hampshire. If I receive any news on a memorial service, it will be passed along here.
The Friends of Attleboro Animal Shelter will have their 11th annual Paws for the Cause pet walk from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on June 14 at the Moose Lodge, 241 Thacher St., featuring food, music, contests, raffles and vendors. For further information, access www.faaspets.org. Take it in with a furry friend.
Best wishes go out to good friend and outstanding all-around athlete Bill Gurn for a full and rapid recovery.
Please be good to one another out there in these difficult times, and try to remember the less fortunate. Peace.
Thomas McAvoy's commentaries appear on Tuesdays.