By William Tauro
Photos by Kim Moss
This past Saturday morning, eighteen veterans and numerous city squares in Somerville were dedicated to military veteran honorees.
All the dedications were done together simultaneously in the aldermanic chambers at city hall.
Friends, relatives, and elected officials were all present to pay tribute to the honorees and to the city square dedications.
A bagpiper played and a soloist performed Amazing Grace.
The city’s Color Guard of Post 19 did and outstanding job advancing and posting the colors at the ceremony.
Director of Veterans Services Christian Kulikoski who did an outstanding job organizing the event oversaw the ceremony as Commissioner of Veteran Services announced ” Mayor Curtatone, President White, Honorable Alderman, Deputy (Police) Chief Trant, Deputy (Fire) Chief, my Comrades and Sisters, and Ladies and Gentlemen, this is a solemn, important occasion – one we shall long remember with pride for the small part each of us in this chamber is contributing.”
Mayor Joseph Curtatone in his own extemporaneous remarks said “Honored Guests, before us are the names of (18) sons of our fair City of Somerville who served with distinction in the United States Army and Navy, bringing great credit upon their families, our nation, and our community. Today we honor them. We extend to them and to their memory our deepest respect and gratitude for protecting our freedom, our families, and our lives.”
“Commissioner, please read the Citation, the names of the Honorees and locations of their Hero Squares.”
Then Mayor Curtatone passed out the citations one by one, as the names were read, and presented it to the family Members.
The honorees and squares that were dedicated are as follows:
1. Technician Fourth Grade Vincent Fontano, AUS
Mt. Vernon St. & Lincoln Ave
2. Sonarman Petty Officer First Class Carl E. Johanson, Jr., USN
Francesca Ave & College Ave
3. The Mitchell BrothersGilman St. & Aldrich St.
a. Specialist 3rd Class Robert J. Mitchell, USA
b. Private First Class Arthur A. Mitchell, USA
c. Specialist 4th Class Kenneth J. Mitchell, USA
d. Technical Sergeant William J. Mitchell, USA
e. Private First Class Peter M. Mitchell, USA
f. Specialist 5 David A. Mitchell, USA
4. The Murphy BrothersThurston St. & Richdale Ave
a. Coxswain James J. Murphy, USN
b. Aviation Ordnanceman Mate 3rd Class Joseph A. Murphy, USN
5. Technical Sergeant Edward R. Reddin, USAWilloughby St & Central St
6. 1st Lieutenant Martin F. Shaughnessy, AUSWarner St & St Clemens
7. The Stone Brothers Kensington Ave & Broadway
a. Sergeant John E. Stone, AUS
b. Technician 4th Grade Lawrence W. Stone, AUS
c. Coxswain Richard F. Stone, USN
d. Sonarman Petty Officer 1st Class Ralph G. Stone, USN
8. Aviation Metal Smith Petty Officer 2nd Class William B. Ward, Jr., USN
Brastow St & Lowell St.
At the end of the ceremonies,Tommy Lane, SPD Retired Police Officer, Commander of VFW Logan Post 6800, and Chaplain of the Somerville Allied Veterans Council offered the closing prayer.
