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A Dinner-Dance event was held on Saturday, August 6, at the Franklin Elks, to benefit a long-term repair and restoration of the historic monuments on the Town Common.
"The Franklin Elks, led by Mark Ellis, sponsored a wonderful fundraiser event for our war monument restoration project. We're so grateful to all who volunteered their time, attended the dinner-dance, and donated items to the raffle in support of this important project," noted Shannon Nisbett, Franklin's Veterans' Services Officer.
Above, Shannon Nisbett kicks off the event. Mark Ellis at right.
The silent auction feature dozens of items donated by individuals and businesses.
Above, Lynne and Paul Santorsola "guard" the silent auction items on display behind them.
About the Monuments Project (From Town of Franklin Information Sheet)
World War I Monument: Also known as the “Doughboy,” (see image above) this 1929 memorial lists the names of the 423 Franklin veterans who served and the 13 men who died in WWI on its bronze honor roll plaques. Water is seeping through the statue via the soldier’s helmet and rifle. The bronze work and Milford pink granite, including the benches, need cleaning, restoration and preservation.
Korean War Monument: Dedicated in 1979, this monument includes the name of Harry Bean, the Franklin solider killed in action during this conflict. The monument needs cleaning, resetting around the edges of the plaque, and protection.
Vietnam War Monument: This memorial includes the names of the six Franklin
men who died during the conflict. Dedicated in 1979, it needs cleaning and
protection.
Veterans’ Memorial Walkway: This beautiful testament to our veterans includes 45 pedestals
with bronze plaques for Franklin’s 45 Fallen Heroes from World War I to today. The brick walkway is designed to commemorate all veterans; bricks can be purchased in honor of
any American veteran, living or deceased.
World War II Monument: The scrolls include the names of all Franklin men who served.
The names of those who paid the ultimate price are honored with
asterisks. Dedicated in 1979, the monument needs cleaning, restoration, & protection.
Operation Iraq Freedom Monument: This 2009 memorial commemorates the names of two young men who died serving their country in the Iraq conflict, Shayne Cabino and Robert Pirelli. The monument is currently in good condition and will benefit from
protection.
Operation Enduring Freedom Monument: This memorial plaque shares a
home with the Iraqi Freedom plaque on the opposite side of the monument. It needs surface chipping repaired and protection.
G.A.R. Memorial Boulder: Dedicated in 1913 by the Grand Army of the Republic, Post 60, an organization of veterans of the Civil War, the bronze plaque on the Gettysburg Address Boulder bears Abraham Lincoln’s speech given in Gettysburg, PA on November 19, 1863. The plaque is currently very loosely attached to the boulder and is missing part of the bronze border as well
as a rosette in the upper right corner. A cross with a faint inscription is broken and needs replacing as well. In addition to the repairs, the bronze and stone need cleaning, reconditioning
and preservation.
Revolutionary Soldiers Monument Dedicated in 1983 this pink granite monument includes a list of America’s 13 colonies at the time of the American Revolution and the names of 142 Franklin men who fought in this war. The names are currently difficult to read due to heavy staining. The
granite and plaque require cleaning and restoration and the metal surface needs to be treated with a protective coating. For more information, visit franklin.tv past shows search “monuments”
Spanish-American War Memorial: This 1983 monument includes a bronze plaque bearing
the names of 40 Franklin men who volunteered for this four-month conflict. Designed to
disable torpedo boats, the Sandoval cannon was retrieved from a sunken ship by The Grand Army of the Republic and donated to the Town of Franklin. The bronze is in poor condition and the granite is heavily stained. This monument needs cleaning, restoration and protection.
Persian Gulf War Monument: Constructed in 1993, the plaque is in good condition and needs a simple cleaning and reapplication of wax. The stone is heavily contaminated and needs cleaning.
Civil War Soldiers Monument: Carved from one piece of blue Westerly, RI granite, the 21-foot tall monument was erected in 1903 and is our town’s oldest war monument. It pays homage to the 134 Franklin men who fought in the Civil War. The granite base is inscribed with the names of the major Civil War battles in which Franklin men fought. A copper time capsule placed in the base of the monument contains Franklin memorabilia. The right hand of the soldier standing atop the monument may need refurbishing. The surface of the granite and needs significant
cleaning, restoration and reconditioning.
