Society News Page

President’s Message

 Dear Members and Friends,

 Welcome to the 2010 - 2011 Program Season.

 We have some interesting speakers this year I hope to see many of you there.

 The new flag pole donated by the Abigail Adams Reading Group has been installed. Thank you AARG. I would also like to thank the Cormack family for their donations from Don Cormack's collection. There have been many donations this year and we thank everyone who has donated to the Society.

 I hope everyone is well and hope you come and visit soon.

 Herb Caldwell

 Legion Memorial Field

Long time Weymouth residents are a bit embarrassed these days with the condition of their town’s well known, historic athletic field. Everybody, it seems, has an opinion about Legion Field and what should be done with it. From day one, in 1925, it has been a collection place, not only for fans of the famous Maroon and Gold football teams but for many Weymouth citizens’ memories of school days and graduations. Unfortunately the old town property has historically had a collection of a different sort too, water, lots of water. But the past isn’t always a pretty picture made of famous names and games, it’s about the funny side of life too, and Legion Field is filled with many awkward reminiscences about mud and floods; and its present sad state is part of that unique saga that encompasses Weymouth. The good news is that the town’s Community Preservation Committee has recognized the wall surrounding the field as historically significant, and will soon provide money to restore it.  Legion Memorial Field was originally dedicated to Weymouth men who participated in the First World War and was the first step in the Civic Center design that included the Town Hall, Talbot Amphitheater, Memorial Wall and the Cross Of Gray.  Legion’s days as an athletic complex may be over, but let’s hope nobody forgets the important contribution to Weymouth history that was made there.  Anyone interested in helping to raise funds for Legion Memorial Field can call 781-340-5012 or go to the town’s web site www.weymouth.ma.us.

Regular Old Bud

I try to get up to my family’s grave site at Mount Hope Cemetery at least a couple of times a year to do a little maintenance and remembrance. While I’m there, I also make sure I check in with the neighbors and spruce up their piece of eternity too. This year I was happy to see a nice new American flag waving beside the Adams’ family grave marker. These aren’t the famous Presidential Adams of course, just a regular old Weymouth guy named Arthur “Bud” Adams and his parents. I assumed Bud died in 1945 as a casualty of the war, but thought it was time to do some historical homework.

Bud grew up on Pleasant Street in South Weymouth and attended the Pratt School and Weymouth High School. He was only 13 years old when his Dad died. After high school he entered the Army Air Corps during World War II where he received a Silver Star for gallantry in battle, and a Purple Heart for being wounded. A couple of months prior to the war ending, Bud died in a vehicle accident on the island of Guam in the South Pacific. He was 26. I was surprised to discover that’s right where they buried him too, way over there on that island, instead of bringing him home to his mother. I’m sure she figured nobody would remember Bud.

 The Town Of Weymouth remembered him though. They named the intersection of Great Republic and Bald Eagle Road for him and his name is right up there with the other heroes of Weymouth at the Talbot Amphitheater and the memorial in Columbian Square.

 When his mother passed away in 1962, she put his name on that marker in Mount Hope, just so nobody would forget her boy, and that’s the way it should be. America’s foundation is built on the quiet and often forgotten sacrifice of regular people like Bud Adams.

 Keith Stanley Spain

Immaculate Conception Grotto

This shrine, located on the Immaculate Conception Church property, is dedicated to 16 members of the parish that perished during World War II. It was originally unveiled in October of 1944, before the war had ended and is believed to be the first memorial built for the Second World War in all of Norfolk County. Its design is based on the “Our Lady Of Lourdes” shrine located in France and was the idea of Rev. John Mahoney. It was constructed with the help of parishioners including Monsignor Peter Martocchio, a well known, retired local Catholic priest.

 Last May the Virgin Mary statue that is part of the grotto was vandalized, some felt beyond repair. Miraculously, the same statue, rebuilt like new, has once again taken its place in front of the kneeling St. Bernadette at the grotto.

 On August 15 an outdoor Mass was celebrated and the “Grotto Of Our Lady Of Lourdes” was rededicated.

Executive Board 

Elected at the Annual Dinner May 1st 2010

President                                         Herb Caldwell

Vice President                                Ed Hines

Treasurer                                       Bruce Ketchen

Secretary                                       Pat Duffy

Librarian                                      Debbie Sullivan

Directors 2 year term

Bill Sargent

Bill Tormey

Director 1 year term

Michelle Cappellini

Friends of the WHS

The Weymouth Historical Society would like to thank the following friends for their generous donations in 2008: 

Please forgive any omissions.