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DEDICATION PROGRAM

Birthplace of Maj. Gen. Maurice Rose

 

 September 29, 2002
Middletown Fire Station
533 Main Street
2:00 p.m.

Commander
3rd Armored Division
("Spearhead" Division)
World War II

Born on November 26, 1899,
at 508 Main Street, 2nd floor,
Middletown, Connecticut 


  • "To the Colors" played by bugler John McLeod of the Middletown Council of Veterans; and U.S. Navy, 1974-76.

  • Color Guard entrance by soldiers from the 143rd Forward Support Battalion of the Connecticut National Guard.

  • U.S. National Anthem, sung by Jeanne Anger.

  • Invocation by Pastor Stephen Eiss, Chaplain of the Middletown Council of Veterans; and U.S. Navy, 1960-64.

  • On-going commentary and introductions by co-masters of ceremonies:

    Phil Cacciola of Middletown; Colonel, U.S. Army Reserves (ret.); and 3rd Armored Division, 1964-66.

    Seb Garafalo of Middletown; former 4-term mayor of Middletown; and U.S. Army, 43rd Infantry Division, 1950-52.

  • Remarks by:

    The Honorable Domenique S. Thornton    , Mayor of Middletown, presenting a Proclamation by the City in tribute to Gen. Rose.

    Representing U.S. Senator Chris Dodd, Senate aide Lois Santiago presents a flag that flew at the top of the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., to Aurio Pierro, representing the 3rd Armored Division Association.

    Aurio Pierro of Lexington, MA; President of the New England Chapter of the 3rd Armored Division Association; and tank platoon sergeant with the 3rd Armored Div. in WWII.

    Marty Reardon, Sr., of Middletown; Commander of the Middletown Council of Veterans; U.S. Marine Corps, 1970-75; and Vietnam veteran.

    Clayton Chalfant of Westport, CT; quad-.50 turret gunner with the 486th Anti-Aircraft Battalion of the 3rd Armored Div. in WWII.

  • Special Honored Guests:

    Russell Eick     of Durham, CT; 486th AAA Bn, 3rd Armored Div., WWII; shot down the first German plane to be downed by guns emplaced on German territory (September 18, 1944).

    Richard Kyte of West Hartford, CT; U.S. Army Air Corps WWII, 1942-45; P-47 Thunderbolt pilot with the 371st Fighter Group; flew in support of the U.S. Third Army and First Army, including the 3rd Armored Div., in France and Germany.

  • Guest Speaker:

    Steven L. Ossad     of San Francisco, CA; co-author with Don R. Marsh of a biography on General Rose to be published in early 2003; graduate of Wesleyan University in Middletown (Class of 1970).

  • Keynote Speaker:

    Lt. General Paul E. Funk,     U.S. Army (ret.), of Round Up, Montana; Commander of the 3rd Armored Division in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Kuwait in the Persian Gulf War (1990-91); Commanding General of the U.S. Army Armor Center, Fort Knox, KY (1992-1993); Commanding General, U.S. Army III Corps, Ft. Hood, TX (1993-95).

  • OUTDOOR CEREMONY then takes place across the street at the Gen. Rose Birthplace building at 508 Main St.

    Presentation of the colors by the Connecticut National Guard.

    Parade line-up with colors by the Antique Veterans of Meriden, CT.

    Brief remarks by Deborah D. Shapiro, representing The Middlesex County Historical Society.

    Brief remarks by Gen. Funk.

    Unveiling of a bronze plaque on the birthplace building by Mrs. Shapiro and Gen. Funk.

    Window display is opened on the ground floor honoring Gen. Rose and all U.S. WWII veterans.

    Benediction     by Pastor Eiss.

    Firing Squad volleys by the Antique Veterans of Meriden with M-1 rifles.

    "Taps" is played by bugler John McLeod, joined by bugler Katie Beyer of Middletown High School, who plays "echo Taps."

    DEDICATION ENDS with informal socializing in front of the birthplace.

Primary planning and organization for the Dedication by:

The 3rd Armored Division PIO -- a veterans reunion group that served with the 3rd Armored Division Public Information Office (PIO) in Frankfurt, Germany, during 1965-68. From that group, Vic Damon of New Haven, CT, and Paul Leopold of Stockholm, Sweden, guided the Dedication project.

Supporting Organizations for the Dedication:

  • The City of Middletown
  • The 3rd Armored Division Association (WWII vets / national)
  • Association of 3rd Armored Division Veterans (all-era / national)
  • Middletown Council of Veterans
  • "Veterans Corner" news column & TV show (Connecticut)

Military vehicles on display by the Connecticut Military Vehicle Collectors Club (COMVEC). Highlights include a WWII LaSalle 4-door Army sedan and a WWII M-16 half-track with quad-.50's turret.

A special thanks to the following:

  • Middletown Mayor Domenique S. Thornton
  • The Middlesex County Historical Society
  • The Russell Library of Middletown
  • Middletown Fire Chief Robert Ross and Fire Fighters
  • Middletown Police and Public Works Departments
  • Bob Dobmeier, Assistant Chief Engineer; Public Works Dept.
  • Ron Organek of "Veterans Corner"
  • Elmer Chiarappa, owner of the Gen. Rose birthplace building
  • Jeff Fine of Meeting House Opticians, in the birthplace building
  • Dominic Rizzo, President of the 486th Anti-Aircraft Bn Association
  • Andrew Knapp of Redding, CT (military vehicles & memorabilia)
  • National Sign Corporation of Middletown
  • Vincent Amato of Middletown
  • And others to whom we are equally grateful.

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