Dedication of the St Joan of Arc Monument
Sunday, June 4, 1944 - Aldenville (Chicopee) Massachusetts
DEDICATION ATTRACTS RECORD ATTENDANCE
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One of the largest turnouts in the history of St. Rose de Lima parish took place yesterday at the dedication exercises of the St. Joan of Arc monument on St. Rose de Lima parish grounds.
Following benediction in the church, procession was held from the church to the monument site with the following taking part, parish altar boys, a firing squad, members of the clergy, Sisters of the Presentation of Mary order, members of the first communion class, members of the graduation class of St. Joan of Arc school, Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts of Troop 138, Ladies' of St. Anne sodality, Sacred Heart league, Children of Mary society and members of the senior choir. Parishioners in general followed the procession, directed by members of the Aldenville police auxiliary unit and which included veterans of World War 1 and of the Foreign Wars.
The singing of the national anthem was followed by the unveiling of the monument by Mr. and Mrs. Peter Briere of Felix St., whose sons, Wilfred of the Navy and Herve of the Army, both gave their lives in World War 2. Mayor Bourbeau was introduced as the initial speaker by Roland O. Fleury who served as master of ceremonies and Rev. Albert Beaudry, former parishioner and now pastor of the Greylock church, also gave a talk, following the blessing of the monument.
The firing squad included a group of soldiers from Westover field and taps were sounded by the local Boy Scouts following which the Memorial wreath was placed at the base of the monument in honor of parish servicemen who gave their lives in this war and World War 1, by Sergt. Chagnon of Hillside Ave, a member of the Marine Corps, Romulus Thabeault, petty officer in the Navy, and Pfc. Francis Robitaille of the Army representing the various branches of the services along with Alfred Goyette of Grattan St., and Charles Fournier of Grattan St., both veterans of World War 1. The closing of the ceremony was marked by the singing of the "Magnificat," by members of the senior choir.