LETTER: Standing up for What's Right

To the Editor,

In my youth I was elected to the Franklin Town Council, where I served 21 years. During that span, I was for many years, the only female on said council. I knew of Willie Boudreau, a good man, an honest man, and a faithful employee of the FranklinD.P.W., and a veteran. Willie called me one day to inform me that the gun on the Franklin Common, a gun from the SpanishAmerican War, was gone. The information told was that a request had come into the Town Hall that that gun was not appropriate to be hanging around on our common. 

The Spanish American war lasted nine (9) months, from April 1898 to December, 1898. Started with the sinking of the USS Maine in the Havana, Cuba harbor and the end was the signing of Peace with Spain, in December, 1898. This presentation of this gun to Franklin, I know nothing about, But I do know that in order for this little town in Massachusetts to get a relic from this war, it is a big deal. The presenter had to be someone in control, someone in power, someone in politics to be able to present this a gift to our town. 

Our forefathers provided this gift a final resting place on the common. It just sits on a platform. There is also not one small child that does not want to stand up and put their hands on that gun.

That was the back story. Willie told me that the gun had been removed and was now resting in the dirt at the D.P.W. trash pile. Wille and I met at the trash pile. The gun was sprawled in the dirt. I get the point where this is just a gun, a weapon, But this was a piece of history given to the city that calls itself Town of Franklin. It should be given respect as a gift. A relic from a long ago time.

How many Town Commons are you familiar with that have ownership of a Spanish American gun on display?

I took pictures of the gun on the ground, All ready to bring this to the next Town council meeting. At next meeting the gun had been removed from the D.P.W. trash and placed back on the stand at the Common. Obviously Willie and myself had been observed plotting for its return and the Powers had circumvented our plan. Gun is still at the Common. Willie Won. I got involved because he cared. I was just a very willing accomplice.

Thank you Willie. You Did It!

--Judith Pond Pfeffer