Special 70th Anniversary Dedication

The Town of Shirley was well represented at a special dedication ceremony for the 70th Anniversary of the World War II Battle of the Bulge at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Winchendon on Friday, May 16. The ceremony also included a rededication of the Wereth Eleven Memorial for the 11 black American anti-aircraft unit soldiers who were captured and massacred during World War II.

The memorial to the 11 in Winchendon is said to be the only memorial to them in this country and is mirrored by another in the town of Wereth, Belgium. The unveiling of the two memorial stone markers was conveniently done during a break in the weather by four veteran survivors of the Battle of the Bulge, including Joe Landry from Shirley. They performed the unveiling as civilian, military, and veteran onlookers watched.

The Gardner American Legion Rifle Squad did a 21 gun salute and taps was then played. The ceremony began with Massachusetts State Representative Sheila Harrington welcoming everyone, as did Christian de Marcken who grew up in Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge. The Commander of the Shirley American Legion, Lewis Criess, posted the colors accompanied by the Color Guard from the Gardner American Legion. Shirley’s Town Collector Holly Haase sang the National Anthem, as she often does so well for special occasions in Shirley.

An invocation was offered by Father Edmond Derosier of St. Anthony’s Church. Shirley’s American Legion drummers Steve Holbein and Mike Bulger played drums during the ceremony. Several members of the Shirley American Legion were also present.

From Fort Devens, Commanding Officer LTC Egan and Command Sergeant Major Ortiz-Guzman were also in attendance. Also presenting were several veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, Coleman Nee, Secretary of of Veteran Affairs of Massachusetts, State Representative Gloria L. Fox, State Representative Stephen DiNatale, Marydith Tuitt, US Navy Veteran.  The Master of Ceremonies was Francisco Urena, Commissioner of Veterans Services for the City of Boston.

“Originally published in the Shirley Volunteer”. The picture was taken by Charles B. Church and the original article was written by Charles B. Church and edited by Amy Peck.

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