Town Manager John Carroll Proposes Adding 5,600 Veterans’ Names to Norwood Memorial Hall-October 31, 1983

Expanding Memorial Hall Honors Beyond World War I

Dedicated 55 years ago next month, Norwood’s neo-Gothic Memorial Hall and adjoining Town Hall were built to honor local residents who served in the nation’s earliest conflicts—from the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Civil War through the Spanish-American War and World War I, with names inscribed on gray stone tablets hanging in the foyer.

However, no names have been added to the town’s official rolls since World War I. Approaching Veterans Day, Town Manager John J. Carroll recommended to the Board of Selectmen that the town update the memorial by adding an estimated 5,600 names of Norwood men and women who served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

Carroll proposed installing a series of 70 metal panels (each bearing 80 names) set into various recesses of the wooden paneling within the main area of Memorial Hall.

Memorial Hall Veteran Panel Options & Logistics

Material & Cost Options

Oxidized Bronze: White enamel-like raised lettering ($137/panel | $9,600 total)
Brushed Bronze Finish: Brass with black lettering (~$4,800 total)
Brushed Silver Finish: Aluminum with black lettering (~$4,800 total)

Implementation Timeline

Veterans Council Consultation: Scheduled for Nov. 8 meeting
Public Review Period: Lists advertised locally for additions/corrections prior to commissioning
Target Installation: In time for Memorial Day 1984

Collaboration with Veterans Groups

George Thomas, Norwood’s director of veterans services, expressed strong support for the initiative: “I think it’s a good gesture for the community and a good remembrance for the people who served the town.”

Thomas plans to present Carroll’s proposal to the local Veterans Council prior to their scheduled meeting with selectmen on November 8. The council includes representatives from four local veterans organizations:

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
American Legion
Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
Marine Corps League

Selectmen deferred a final vote pending the outcome of discussions with veterans’ representatives. If municipal funding falls short, Carroll suggested seeking financial assistance or co-sponsorship from local veterans groups to ensure the project moves forward.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger

Sst. Joseph Rukstalis Playing Vital Ordnance Role-This Day in Norwood History-November 27, 1944

SIXTH ARMY GROUP. France — Keeping in running order the hundreds of jeeps, sedans, trucks and other vehicles used by Sixth Army Group headquarters — under which are the American Seventh and French First Armies — in France is the task of an ordnance maintenance platoon. Among the soldiers in this platoon is Sst. Joseph…
Pfc. William H. Kaler, Pfc. Michael Joseph Wallace Lose Lives; Pvt. Peter Lydon Wounded-This Day in Norwood History-November 27, 1944

Two more Norwood men have been killed in action and a third seriously wounded, according to reports received from the War Department by their next of kin. They are: Pfc. William H. Kaler, Jr., 278 Dean Street, killed in action in France November 7th. Pfc. Michael Joseph Wallace, 317 Nahatan Street, killed in action in…
Veterans Not Interested In Central Headquarters-This Day in Norwood History-November 22, 1944

Representatives of the Norwood Legion Post and the Veterans of Foreign Wars reported back to the Norwood Selectmen last night, informing the Board that neither organization was interested in proposed quarters in a location next to the Municipal Building on Washington street. The Selectmen, several weeks ago. called in the veterans organization representatives to ask…
Sergt. Walsh, Pacific Veteran, Critically Ill-This Day in Norwood History-November 20, 1944

Sergt. Joseph F. Walsh, 34. of 54 Walnut avenue, who recently returned to the United States after 33 months of service with the famed Americal Division in the Pacific, is critically ill with spinal meningitis at the Fox Regional Hospital at Camo Barkley, Texas, according to word received here over the weekend. His sister, Elizabeth,…
Pvt. Raymond Decorated At Convalescent Hospital-This Day in Norwood History-November 17, 1944

FORT DEVENS — Private Joseph F. Raymond of 24 Shaw street, Norwood, who was wounded in action in France on June 25th, was one of five overseas veterans presented combat decorations at the Lovell General Convalescent Hospital here this week. The Purple Heart was pinned on the Norwood soldier by Lt. Col. George T. Stine,…
Holy Cross Golfer Breaks Medical Par at Bougainville-This Day In Norwood History-June 24, 1944

Norwood Army Surgeon Decorated with Legion of Merit for Heroism Under Bombing in the Pacific Lt Col James F. Collins of Norwood, Mass., recently awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct as an Army surgeon, wasted little time in putting his medical ability to good use at Bougainville. The night after Col Collins’…
Parade Marks Armistice Day-This Day In Norwood History-November 11, 1942

Veterans organizations Honor Dead Comrades Marching Units In Flag-Draped Streets Inspiring Spectacle Norwood, along with the rest of this warring nation, observed the 21th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that put an end to World War I, while many of the onlookers at the parade yesterday morning are warriors of World War II…
Norwood Native Arthur Curtin At Pearl Harbor-This Day In Norwood History-December 8, 1941

One Norwood man is definitely known to have been at Pearl Harbor when that giant Pacific Navy base was bombed in the Japanese surprise attack yesterday morning. He is 30-year old Arthur Curtin, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Curtin of Mylod Street. Curtin, who is an electrician in the U. S. Navy yard stationed…
Norwood Will Dedicate Memorial Building Tomorrow-November 10, 1928

Norwood Will Dedicate Memorial Building Tomorrow-This Day In Norwood History-November 10, 1928
Ora Holman Helped Hunt Down John Wilkes Booth, Turns 91-This Day In Norwood History-May 30, 1922

A legendary local patriot celebrates a milestone. At 91 years old, Walpole Street resident Ora Holman stands as Norwood’s oldest Civil War veteran, carrying a thrilling personal history that includes riding 100 miles through the night in the urgent pursuit of Lincoln’s assassin, John Wilkes Booth.