Medfield Volunteers Working to Replace Veterans' Plaque

When Nancy Kelly Lavin first saw the World War II veterans’ plaque outside the gymnasium, she was surprised she had not noticed it before and then disappointed by its condition, as was her father, William J. Kelly Jr., whose name is on the plaque.

The men and women listed on the plaque were teenage students in the building when it was the Hannah Adams Pfaff High School (from 1927 and 1951) when they enlisted.

“Once I realized what I was looking at, I was sad,” said Lavin, noting the plaque has fallen into disrepair with names that are missing letters, and gold stars that have fallen off. 

“When my father Bill Kelly [of ] first saw the plaque, he immediately wanted to do something so he came up with the idea of a Sidewalk Sale which Lord's has done semi-annually for years but this one would be different,” said Kelly-Lavin.

Last year, everything on the sidewalk – about $7,000 worth of merchandise – was free but donations were accepted toward the cost of replacing the WWII plaque. 

That was the first fundraiser to raise money to replace the plaque which will cost $4,000, and donations – including a $1,000 donation from – have been coming in ever since. 

Soon after the sidewalk sale, a small group of volunteers – Kelly-Lavin, Town Veterans Agent Ron Griffin, veterans Tony Centore and Lee Tredway, town historian Richard DeSorgher, and Superintendent of Schools Bob Maguire –vowed to work together to replace the plaque.

“Bob [Maguire] got involved very early on and he immediately turned it into a much better ordeal because he wanted the children involved,” said Lavin.  “He is imparting the history of Yesteryear to today’s kids.”

Maguire says an important part of education is teaching about history and the past.

“I think the students can gain a great deal when they learn about personal commitment and sacrifice of others [and] understanding that there are certain ideals and priorities beyond the individual,” said Maguire.  “I also think that students should be able to learn about how others have given to provide them with the way of life they benefit from today.” 

He said, “I think the history of the sacrifice of the individuals who served us at a time of crisis is important for the town to recognize and remember. Many of these individuals gave up completing their own education to defend us and our way of life.”

Committee member Lee Tredway said the 30 by 48 inch bronze plaque replacement is a way to continue the legacy of ‘1944 Medfield.’  

He said the committee plans to continue the effort by extending this initiative to all wars and all schools to help today’s children recognize the contributions and sacrifice of their parents, grandparents and great-grandparents and impress on them that someday they may be called upon to do the same.

 “Medfield has a rich history with a wonderful record of its citizens serving in uniform. This plaque was originated during wartime as a tribute to those who went off to serve. Their service is being recognized as was that of their predecessors and those who followed,” said Tredway.

Tony Centore, who has been researching the names that will appear on the plaque, said the plaque commemorates the sacrifice made by Medfield young people, like Bill Kelly, who left high school to enter the military during WWII. 

“The students who are honored on this plaque were essentially teenagers who went right from school to the military forsaking careers, marriage and families,” said Centore.  “It gives school children a visual link to what veterans are all about [and] it is one of several planned that will link Medfield Schools to the former students who went on to serve their country.”

Anyone with information regarding Medfield residents who served in World War II, the Korean conflict, or the Merchant Marines, should contact Town Veterans’ Agent Ron Griffin at (508) 906-3025 or rgriffin@medfield.net. 

Monetary donations can be dropped off at Lord’s Department Store, or mailed to the Medfield Foundation, 459 Main Street, Medfield MA 02052 (with “Veterans Plaque Fund” noted on the check).