Editor,
As the Town of Bradford, VT prepares to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of our first settler, Mr. John Hosmer (Osmer), our volunteer committee has created memorable events lasting throughout the 2015 year.
Special events, honored guests, historical displays, music, stories and many more activities are scheduled. Even though Mother Nature tried to be the headliner for our Winter Carnival, we had several successful indoor events to start our Sestercentennial anniversary celebration.
The next series of events will be held on May 24 and May 25, 2015.The Town of Bradford welcomes special guests – the Vermont Civil War Hemlocks as they demonstrate living history with an open encampment on Route 25, Waits River Road, just west of Bradford Mini Mart.
As they celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War, the Hemlocks are dedicated to proudly and accurately portraying the common Vermont infantry and artillery soldier during the War of the Rebellion, 1861 – 1865. Their encampment is open to public on Sunday as they arrive at approximately 10 a.m. Watch as they set up camp, practice maneuvers and drills. Walk through a Union encampment, listen to the stories and Civil War songs. Learn about the equipment; the Hemlocks use two 3-inch wrought iron rifles (sometimes known as ordnance rifles). Bring your own cup and enjoy a coffee boiled on a campfire and see what the common soldier is eating for supper.
Monday morning, beginning at 0600 hours the unit will prepare for the day. At 11 a.m., the Hemlocks will join honored guests and fellow soldiers from the Vermont National Guard Armory Company A, 2nd Battalion, of the 172 Armor Division as they participate in the Re-Dedication Ceremony of Bradford’s Veterans Memorial on the BA Lawn, 172 North Main Street in Bradford.
This memorial was originally dedicated on Bradford’s new Memorial Field during the Town’s Bicentennial celebration in 1965 by Major General Ernest N. Harmon, Bradford Academy graduate Class of 1912. “During World War II, Major General Harmon ranked without doubt among the ten outstanding field commanders in our far-flung forces”, according to Harold W. Haskins, author of A History of Bradford, Vermont, in 1968 by Courier Publishing. He goes on to say the Major General Harmon graduated from West Point in 1917, retired from the Army in 1948 where he became President of Norwich University until 1965. The field was purchased by funds by Bradford Academy and Graded School District to “be a memorial to those who served in the Armed Forces of World War II.
The Bradford Academy & Graded School Board and the Bradford Select board has agreed that the memorial erected in 1965 should be moved to more prominent location so that the citizens can appreciate the sacrifice of so many so served in the Armed Forces of all wars and conflicts. The Bradford 250 Committee is proud to participate in this move and owe our gratitude to those who helped to make it possible.
Join us on the special weekend to give thanks and honor those who gave so much to provide us with the way of life that we know and love. For more information, contact Meroa Benjamin at 802-291-1384 or email dpben@charter.net.
Meroa Benjamin