Page 2 <strong>Franklin</strong> Local Town Pages www.localtownpages.com <strong>July</strong> <strong>2017</strong> Beat the Heat Summer Contest Every Weekday <strong>July</strong> – Aug – 6-7A – 7-8A – 8-9A PILES OF PRIZES & Local Live & Lovin It Local News, Weather, Sports, Traffic, Contests, Giveaways & Fun, and your favorite Classic Hits from the 60’s 70’s and 80’s.
<strong>July</strong> <strong>2017</strong> <strong>Franklin</strong> Local Town Pages www.localtownpages.com Page 3 VETERANS continued from page 1 a medic in the Army. “Back then there were maybe twelve people waiting on the dock,” he recalled. He pointed out that as Honor Flight participants, they did not have to wait at all. The police escort helped them make their way through Washington with little delay. Everything was extremely well-organized, and each step of the way was well-thought out and professionally arranged. “When I was in the Army,” he recalled, “my memory was of standing in line forever. This was a very different experience!” Weidman’s son, Patrick, noted, “I will always remember the hug my father gave me at the end of the night when I was dropping him off in the driveway. He thanked me for going with him and I said I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. He said to me, ‘I know you’re busy and you didn’t have to go, so thank you’. I was really looking forward to this flight and the experience, and I thanked him for letting me go to share this with him. There aren’t many of these veterans left and word needs to be spread about this no-cost honoring of our veterans.” Each veteran and their guardians were given an “Honor Flight” jacket and shirt to wear for the trip. Weidman said that most veterans also wore a cap noting the branch of the military they served in. But Weidman carried another hat as well, which had belonged to WWII veteran and <strong>Franklin</strong> resident Ralph Hoar, who died this past April. Weidman brought Hoar’s hat with him on the trip, and placed it at the WWII memorial, then took a picture of it to present to Hoar’s widow, Lois. Lewis was not only accompanied by his son Steve. Another son, Dan Lewis, also of <strong>Franklin</strong>, went down to D.C. a few days before the Honor Flight with his children Zach and Casey. On the day of the event, Dan surprised his father at the WWII memorial, and then joined the Honor Flight veterans as they visited at Arlington Cemetery as well. “It was important for my children to see a piece of history,” Dan said. “The reception at the airport was crazy. Dad’s usually a man of few words, but hasn’t stopped talking about it. He also hasn’t stopped wearing his Honor Flight shirt, probably five days out of every seven. This was a great event.” Weidman noted that “mail call” was especially moving for him—near the end of the tour each veteran’s name was called, and they each received a packet of letters that had been sent in advance to Honor Flight New England for each veteran. Besides the multiple letters from family and friends, Weidman received letters sent by his daughter in law Sue Weidman, who teaches at the Benjamin <strong>Franklin</strong> Charter School. She had had her students write letters which were given to Weidman at “mail call.” Weidman noted, “Some guys had very few letters, but I had a huge collection. That was probably the best moment of the day for me.” Weidman’s daughter Jean pointed out, “If anyone wants to support this effort, you can mail letters to “any soldier” and they will be given to veterans who might not have received as many letters.” Steve Lewis was so impressed with the experience he is determined to make sure other area veterans are able to have the same opportunity his dad had. He hopes to persuade the <strong>Franklin</strong> Fireman’s Union, the <strong>Franklin</strong> Police Union and the Elks Club of <strong>Franklin</strong> to work together to support sending six veterans each year. “We can do this,” he said. “We’re losing our WWII veterans, and as the Honor Flight folks say, ’We’re in a race against time to say Thank You.’” He continued, “We will be glad to support <strong>Franklin</strong> area veterans, but really, we just want any veteran to have the chance to participate in this.” To learn much more about Honor Flight New England, http://honorflightnewengland. org/ Cyclist, Teresa Jacobson Earns Top State Fundraiser in Great Cycle Challenge Event Raises Funds for Children’s Cancer Research Fund Every mile that more than 30,000 cyclists across America ride on a bicycle, a stationary bike or even a unicycle this June will improve their health and help raise more than $4.5 million to fund childhood cancer research during the third annual Great Cycle Challenge USA, benefitting Children’s Cancer Research Fund (CCRF). As of June 15, more than $3 million was raised. Of the 500 riders from Massachusetts, Teresa Jacobson of <strong>Franklin</strong>, who has pledged to ride 200+ miles in June is the state’s top fund raiser with $6,325 raised at press time. She has already logged nearly 244 miles. Like many riders Teresa, who is also the country’s #11 overall fundraiser, is riding in honor of friends and family fighting the battle against cancer. Here is a link to her fund-raising pagehttps://greatcyclechallenge. com/Riders/TeresaJacobson “We commend Teresa and all of the riders who have taken the challenge and the donors who understand the need to fund children’s cancer research,” said Jim Leighton, Vice President of Events and Partnerships, CCRF. “Great Cycle Challenge offers everyone, no matter their fitness level, the opportunity to set their own goals to benefit a great cause. The combination of having fun and pushing your fitness levels, while helping children and families in need, is truly empowering for those who have taken the challenge.” Great Cycle Challenge USA encourages riders to set their own personal cycling goals and raise funds by recruiting family and friends to pledge donations. During the past two years, nearly 40,000 riders pedaled three million miles, raising more than $4.7 million to fund childhood cancer research. This year’s goal is for 30,000 riders to raise $4.5 million. Last year’s event provided grants to ten Children’s Oncology Group sites, including Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital. The ability for cyclists to monitor mileage and fundraise is made easy through a dedicated app and personal web page. Cyclists can also use popular appsMapMyRide, Strava and Garmin Connect to track their miles. A new feature this year will allow riders to schedule group rides with other local riders. Providing Quality Work For Over 30 Years! Fully licensed and insured Roofing • Carpentry • Plastering • Kitchens • Gutters Painting • Tile Work • Other Call Us Today for a FREE “No Pressure” Quote! Your Roofing, Gutter, and Carpentry Specialist Office: 508-660-2588 Cell: 508-596-9478 Fax: 508-660-7075 www.firstclassconstructionandremodeling.com PROFESSIONAL TREE SERVICE Shade Tree Pruning • Tree Removal Ornamental Tree Pruning Bucket Truck Service Call the certified arborists at Destito Tree Services for an evaluation. The name you have trusted since 1984. Massachusetts Certified Arborist - Fully Insured Nicholas Destito 781-551-0266 508-699-4532 www.destitotreeservices.com FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED
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