Colorful Rites For Corporal Grugnale
Caisson Carries Body Of War Hero To Highland Cemetery As Three Fighter Planes Drone Above
The same caisson that carried the casket of Franklin Delano Roosevelt through the streets of the nation’s capitol was used Saturday morning at the impressive military services held for Corporal Joseph N. A. Grugnale, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Grugnale of 1150 Washington street who lost his life in March, 1944, while serving with the Army Air Forces in England.
Following the solemn high mass of requiem celebrated at St. Catherine’s Church at ten o’clock the flag-draped casket of Norwood’s war hero was placed on the caisson, which was loaned by the Hyde Park V.F.W. post. As hundreds of local residents lines the sidewalks and three fighter planes droned overhead. the funeral procession proceeded to Highland Cemetery.
Delegations from the Norwood American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts acted as honorary pallbearers and as a military escort. Also escorting the cortege was a delegation from the Norwood Police Department headed by Chlel Thomas Lydon and including Sgt. Joseph Flood, Officers Valentine Balutis, John Nee, William Lyden, and Albert Bishop.
(All articles originally appeared in the Norwood Messenger unless otherwise noted)