In The Service Now-This Day In Norwood History-November 16, 1945

VJ Day. 1946, May Be Welcome Home Day

August 14. 1946. the first anniversary of V-J Day, may be the date of Norwood’s Welcome Home Day to her sons and daughters who answered the call to arms when Hitler’s legions threatened to overrun the world.

The suggestions to make a local holiday of that day, even though the nation may not decide to make it a national holiday was suggested Tuesday night by John Flaherty, commander of the local post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, at a meeting of representatives of local veterans’ organizations with the Board of Selectmen

The suggestion met with full and complete approval of the Board, which had Issued an invitation to the veterans groups to come in and talk over the matter of a suitable welcome home celebration for all of Norwood s service men and women.

“We want your organizations to participate with us in this celebration.” Chairman Charles F Holman told the veterans organizations representatives “We will invite all other organizations in the town to take part also to combine their welcome to their individual service members with ours. This municipal welcome home will be sponsored and carried through by the town as the greatest celebration the town has ever known “

The final decision as to the date however, has not been definitely made. That will depend largely on the number of men released from the services by that time. But the information now available regarding the prospective in charge of local servicemen indicates that August 14th would be an appropriate date.

July 4th. first suggested as the date of the celebration seems early — too early for many who are now going held over in operations in connection with military government and police duties in Germany and Japan.

Selectman Sture Nelson has suggested that an appropriation of S10 000 be requested at the March town meeting for financing all expenses in connection with the celebration “We could raise that amount in a few weeks by voluntary contributions.” he said, “but this is strictly a town affair and at the present time the citizens are contributing to a fund for a Memorial Building” He pointed out that a S10.000 appropriation would amount to about one-fourth of one percent of the town valuation at the present time. Mr Nelson was also m favor of presenting each veteran with a medal inscribed with the town seal and suitably engraved as a memento of the town’s appreciation of their service “Veterans in later years will treasure these medals.” he said ‘even though they might tend to regard them lightly today as they do campaign ribbons and battle stars ”

The entire matter has been left 1 with representatives of the veterans to report to their organizations and come before the Board at a later date with further suggestions.

“This will leave about eight months to make plans” said Mr. Holman “We will need that time in order to arrange our program contact distinguished officials of the State and Federal Government to assure their attendance and make perfect the thousand and one details in connection with the greatest celebration Norwood has ever witnessed”

Captain Grokoest Home Prior To Foreign Service

Captain Albert W Grokoest is spending a few days at the home of his mother. Mrs. Sana Grokoest of 140 Walpole street, while awaiting his orders to go overseas.

Captain Grokoest enlisted in the Army Medical Corps on June 23. 1942. During his three years in the Medical Corps, he has received his overseas orders three times and was disappointed to have them canceled each time. On November 6th, he received his orders for overseas for the fourth time.

Captain Grokoest attended schools in Norwood and received his M D degree from the Columbia University School of Medicine. His last station was at the Army General Hospital at Camp Pickett. Virginia.

Alice Chubet Now Home After Marine Discharge

Following her discharge from the U. S. Marine Corps Women’s Reserve at El Toro, California. SSgt Alice D. Chubet made a tour of the stales and arrived home last Thursday

Sgt. Chubet entered the Marines in February. 1943 She received her boot training at Hunter’s College, New York and attended the University of Indiana for training as a storekeeper. She was stationed at Cherry Point, N C., before being transferred to El Toro, California.

A brother. Sgt. Lawrence Chubet. has completed his boot training at Sampson, New York and is now at Dartmouth College for Naval Air Training.

Their parents. Mr. and Mrs. John Chubet, live at 13 St. John’s Avenue.

Howard Blasenak Home From Navy With 51 Points

Howard Blascnak of 22 Endlcott Street has been discharged from the Navy at the Separation Center in Boston with a total of 81 points.

He entered the Navy In April 1, 1942 and received his training at the Norfolk Training Station at Norfolk, Virginia. There he took a physical instruction course under the supervision of Gene Tunney. He also attended the officer’s gunnery school there.

His overseas service included the Pacific and American Theatres and his last duty was aboard the USS Kestral which worked in conjunction with M. I .T. In the advanced developments of radar.

A graduate of Boston University where he was a hockey star, he Intends to go to the University of Illinois in January and complete his education for a Master’s Degree.

Rene C. St. Cyr Enlists In Army

Reno C St Cyr son of Mr and Mrs Liidger G St. Cyr of 31 Water Street Norwood left for Fort Devons. Friday as an enlistee in the Army recruiting drive now being held here.

Rene who is 17 years of age attended the Balch and Senior High schools where he participated in football and basketball.

He worked in the laundry of the Norwood Hospital prior to his entry into the Army and was a member of the Massachusetts State Guard.

Andrew First Of Five Perednia Brothers Released

Andrew Perednia of 94 Concord avenue is the first to be discharged of five brothers who have been in the service of Uncle Sam.

A Yeoman 1st Class in the Navy when discharged recently at the Fargo Building, Boston, Perednia had compiled 44 points.

He entered the Navy in February, 1942. and was stationed in Boston- for two years, doing naval intelligence work. He served one year overseas on the U.S.S. Mellena.

His four brothers in the service are Dan. an Army corporal stationed at Campbell, Kentucky, after just returning from overseas. Eddie, a Radioman 2nd Class in the Navy, now In China, William, a Marine Corps Lieutenant, who is also in China, and Caspar, a corporal in the Army, who is in the Philippines.

Is Discharged

John C. Adclmann of 34 Marion Avenue arrived home last Friday after receiving his discharge from the Marines Corps at Bainbridge Maryland He was a Corporal at the time of his discharge.

Navy Releases John P. Costello

John P Costello of 12 Highview street Norwood who was an Electrician’s Mate in the Navy recently received his discharge at the Fargo Building Boston. He had a total of 48 1/2 points.

Costello enlisted in February 1942. and was given his boot training at Newport Rhode Island He was overseas for 2’3 years serving at Attu Kiska New Guinea New Brittain and the Philippines Islands Upon returning to the United States he was stationed at San Diego. California, for awhile.

He has returned to his duties at Hollingsworth and Vose. East Walpole.

Waves Release Priscilla Holman

Priscilla R. Hollman. A M. 1 c, daughter of Mr and Mrs Charles F Holman of 8 Belmont Street, was recently- discharged from the Waves at the U S. Naval Barracks in New- York

Miss Holman enlisted in the Naw in November 1942 She received her boot training at Cedar Falls. Iowa, and further training at trade school N A T T C Norman Oklahoma. She was then assigned to duty in the Assembly and Repair Shop operating power-cutting Shears at the U. S Naval Air Station in Jacksonville. Florida.

Miss Holman has three brothers still in the service- Major Charles in India. Lt. Robert, in the South Pacific, and CpI Richard, also in the South Pacific.

Army Releases Michael Flaherty

Pfc. Michael F Flaherty, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Flaherty of 97 Casey Street, received his discharge from the Army last Monday at Camp Attleburg, Indiana.

PFC Flaherty served in the Army for three years. 17 months of which he served overseas in the European Theatre- He was wounded in action in France and is the holder of the Purple Heart, the Good Conduct Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Presidental Citation, and four campaign stars.

Flaherty was employed by the New Haven Railroad before entering the service.

’Patsy’ Santoro On Battle Veteran Bringing Boys Home

Pasquale F. Santoro, seaman, second class, USNR, 38 Sunset avenue, Norwood, has helped the light cruiser USS BIRMINGHAM build up a record of 198.000 miles of sea travel, during which she took part in most of the major Pacific campaigns, before she was assigned the duty of bringing veterans back home.

The BIRMINGHAM saw action in both theaters of operation, her major campaigns including the Sicilian occupation, Pacific raids, including Tarawa and Wake, the Treasury Islands. Marianas, western Carolines, Leyte, Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

The cruiser Is credited with 16 planes, more than 3.000 tons of shi|E ping and attacks on many shore installations. She was damaged twice during the course of her operations, her Honor Roll showing 284 killed, 507 wounded and 11 missing. Awards to her men total 533, among them the Navy Cross, Silver Star, Air Medal and the Bronze Star Medal.

Pasquale, who is better known as “Patsy”, entered the Navy in August, 1944. A graduate of the Norfolk Agricultural School, he worked at the Bird estate in East Wolpolc He is married to the former Rose LaCivita of East Walpole.

Peter Santoro Is Released From Marines

PFC Peter Santoro of 960 Providence highway has received his discharge from the Marine Corps at the Navy Yard. Boston, with 69 points to his credit,
Santoro entered the service in October, 1942, and received his training at Parris Island, S.C., and Camp Pendleton. California. His duty overseas Included the Marshalls, Saipan and Iwo Jima campaigns.

He was wounded twice during the battle for Iwo Jima. Going ashore with the 4th Marine Division, a sniper’s bullet struck his ammunition belt, exploding three cartridges. One of the bullets from the belt plowed into his back, missing his spine by inches, and his back was peppered with bits of brass. After receiving medical care he returned to the Iwo battle and was again wounded in the arms and back by a burst of shrapnel. About a year previously when he was on the Manila Island he received the title from the Marine combat correspondent “as the most shot at” Marine on the Island.

Among his awards were the Presidential Citation and the Purple Heart with a gold star.

Peter has a brother Charles, a Staff Sergeant in the Army, who is expected home soon.

He has resumed his association at the Roll-Land alleys where he is in partnership with his two brothers

Edward Collins Released From Marine Corps

Edward P. Collins of 14 Allen Road has been discharged from the Marine Corps.

Collins who -was a corporal, enlisted in December, 1942, when he was a student at Norwood High School.

He served in the Wallis, Gilberts, and Marshalls Islands and underwent the Jap bombing of Roll Land. His decorations include the Asiatic-Pacific ribbon and Gattie stars for the Gilberts Marshall and Marianas campaigns.

He has a brother and sister in the service- Mary E. who is a cadet nurse at the Malden Mass Hospital, and Robert E„ who is in the Navy at Okinawa. Another brother, Jerry, was discharged from the Marines in September.

Pfc. Meyer At Fort Bragg

Pfc. Henry O. Meyer of 346 Lenox Street is now stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina after returning from seven months service overseas as a member of the 13th Airborne Division.

Entering the Army in October 18, 1943, Meyer received his basic training at Camp Mackall. North Carolina.

Winner, of the Good Conduct and ETO ribbons, he served in France. He considers his most interesting experience while overseas his tour to Germany, Maginot, and Siegfried Lines.

(All articles originally published in the Norwood Messenger)