“The veteran soldiers met at the Town Hall at 9 oclock AM accompanied by Torrent Engine Company, Sabath schools of the different churches and led by the Mechanics Cornet Band marched through the principal streets to Granitville Cemetery. Prayer was offered by Reverend Polk after which the returned soldiers decorated the graves of their departed comrades. The line was reformed and returned to the Hall and listened to speeches from Reverend Polk and Reverend Coult also a very fine poem by Mrs. S.E. Blodgett. A vote of thanks was passed for the kindness rendered by the M. C. Band, Reverend Polk, Reverend Coalt and to Mrs. Blodgett. The Band and returned soldiers marched to H. A. Powers Drugstore and many thanks ever expressed for the kindness of Mrs. Powers and we wish we had many more citizens of the same stamp that have not forgot who it was that fought their battles and saved their homes retained one of the best governments there ever was an unbroken chain. Adjourned to meet at the call of the President.”
Secretary George Gilden
Veteran Soldiers of Marlboro
May 30th 1880
The Veteran Soldiers of Marlboro was an organization of local Civil War veterans. In 1919, members of this organization, by unanimous vote, became a post in the newly formed American Legion. As illustrated by the excerpt from the Secretary Record of Veteran Soldiers, our town began recognizing Memorial Day (Decoration Day) annually since at least 1880. The name “Memorial Day”, which was was first attested in 1882, gradually became more common than “Decoration Day” after World War II but was not declared the official name by federal law until 1967.
Croteau-Coutts-Ford Post 24 will continue this annual tradition this year with a ceremony on Sunday, the 30th of May at the Pine Grove Cemetery beginning at 10 AM. Unfortunately, the Post has again decided to forgo a parade in deference to current COVID protocols. We look forward to resuming this aspect of our Memorial Day festivities in 2022.
Don’t forget that the Post is currently collecting worn, tattered, unserviceable flags for proper disposal. The flags can be given to any Post member or dropped off at Main Crust Company. The flags will be disposed of at a proper ceremony on Flag Day. More information will be published in the June bulletin.
In the March Bulletin, the Post published the Resolution to change the name of our Post from Croteau-Coutts Post 24 to Croteau-Coutts-Ford Post 24. On 15 February 2021, a new Charter was presented to the Post formalizing the name change. Over the next couple of months, Post officers will be planning an appropriate rededication ceremony to be held toward the end of the summer. We plan to make this a community event so watch this space in the coming months for more information!