The Fryeburg Historical Society

 

A History of Veterans Honor Rolls
in Fryeburg, Maine
 




I was asked by Fryeburg Historical Society President Thomas Hutchins to compile a 
brief history of all the veterans memorials that have been so
 proudly displayed in our little town of Fryeburg, Maine.  Fryeburg is the
 oldest town in Oxford County. It was founded in 1763 by
 General Joseph Frye (1712 - 1794) and given to him for his service
 in the French and Indian Wars. 

 


 
 
Grave of General Joseph Frye
Pine Grove Cemetery
Fryeburg, Maine
Diane Jones photo

 

Fryeburg was incorporated January 11, 1777. Our town boasts of men who served
 as far back as the French and Indian Wars. The first mention of a memorial
 to our veterans was a bronze plaque placed on a boulder in Bradley Memorial Park. 

 

 
Early photo of Bradley Park before the boulder and plaque was placed
The cannons were placed there in 1904 and were removed 
During the scrap metal drive in World War II
Fryeburg Historical Society photo
 

 
 

  
Boulder with bronze plaque in Bradley Park
Diane Jones photo
 

The plaque is dated 1920, the same year Mrs. Charles (Minnie Bradley) Mattson 
gave Bradley Park to the Town of Fryeburg. 
 

The plaque reads:

 Presented to the Town of Fryeburg in the year 1920 as a living memorial to all soldiers,
 sailors, and marines of Fryeburg who have served their country in times of peril
 and further to commemorate the original location of Fryeburg Academy
 where in 1802 Daniel Webster served as preceptor.

 The second honor roll was a wooden one with the names of the veterans were painted on it. 
 This stood in Bradley Park also where the present memorial is now. 
 Over time this decayed and plans were set in motion to build a more permanent memorial.
  

 
 

  
First Veterans Honor Roll in Fryeburg that listed veterans names
This stood in Bradley Park
Fryeburg Historical Society photo

  
 
The third veteran�s memorial was erected in front of the building on Portland Street,
 that housed the post office and the American Legion at that time.  The following information was found on
 the dedication of that memorial:

Dedicate War Memorial Plaque at Fryeburg
May 1960

The dedication of the War Memorial Plaque to honor the men and women 
of the Town of Fryeburg who served their country and to those 
who gave the supreme sacrifice was held May 30 in front of
 the Frank W. Shaw Post No. 137 home, American Legion.

Stuart E. Stanley, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen made the opening remarks and presented
 the monument to the American Legion.  Donald M. Kiesman, Commander of the local post
 accepted the plaque on behalf of the legion and dedicated it
 to those who served their country.

The dedication read
 In the name of Frank W. Shaw Post, No. 137, Department of Maine, The American Legion,
 I now dedicate this memorial.  I dedicate it to the memory of those who fell
 in the service of our country.  I dedicated it in the name of those who
 offered their lives that Justice, Freedom, and Democracy might survive
 to be the victorious ideals of the peoples of the world.  The lives of those
 who have made the supreme sacrifice are glorious before us; 
 their deeds are an inspiration.  As they served American in time of war, 
yielding their last full measure of devotion may we serve America in time of peace. 

I dedicated this monument to them, and with it,
 I dedicated this Post to the faithful service of our Country and to preservation 
of the memory of those who died that Liberty might live.

The stone edifice was placed in front of the Legion Home and the Post Office
 and will be lighted that all might know that Fryeburg citizens
 who served may not be forgotten anytime. 

 
This memorial is now located at the American Legion Home on Bradley Street

Diane Jones photo

In May 1979 a larger memorial with a complete listing of veterans� names
 was constructed at Bradley Park.  The committee in charge of this was 
Woodrow L. Palmer, a veteran of both World War II and the Korean War;
Charles H. Hapworth, a World War II veteran, and George H. Roberts, who fought
in World War I.  The monies were raised by donations from individuals and businesses.
 
 The large memorial was constructed of stone pillars and cap, framed in oak and the 
listings were covered with glass and lighted automatically at night.  Harold Sanborn 
did the metal work, Earl Hill, the electrician installed the lighting and the
 title lettering was done by Edward Mills.  The individual listings were made
 by Carol Hill at the Fryeburg Healthcare Center.  McSherry�s Nursery
 of Center Conway, New Hampshire planted the two yew bushes at either side of 
the honor roll at no cost.  The bushes were donated by Mrs. Dararal Remick 
in memory of  recently deceased veteran Bernard E. Ridlon.  There were about
 1000 veterans� names listed on this honor roll.

 
 
 
Veterans Honor Roll in Bradley Park
Built in 1979
Collette Monuments photo
 



In 2003 the present honor roll was built and dedicated in November.
  Over 1200 names are on this honor roll
 and it was made by Collette Monuments in Lewiston, Maine.  


 
  
New Veterans Honor Roll in Bradley Park
Dedicated Veterans Day 2003
Diane Jones photo
 


Fryeburg celebrates each year with a Memorial Day Parade and a remembrance of
 all our veterans who have served our country.
  

May No Veteran, Man or Woman, be forgotten for without them our country would
 not have its freedom and democracy today

Diane L. Jones, Director 
Fryeburg Historical Society Research Library
2004