Honoring Our Military Heroes
Two names to be added to memorial remembrances this year
By Brian Hutchins
Have you noticed that the plaques of the World War I monument at Memorial Green have been missing? The Norfolk Veterans Affairs Office, with help from all veterans in town, are adding a name to the memorial plaque this year, and also naming a new person to the honor roll to be read at the Memorial Day parade.
John H. Bailey’s name is being added to the plaque this year. Bailey was born Dec. 25, 1895. He attended the original Center School, where the current firehouse is located. When America entered The First World War, Bailey answered the call of his country when he joined the U.S. Army and was assigned to the 445th Reserve Service (Labor) Battalion. This all-African American unit arrived in France and helped the Allied cause until victory was declared in late 1918. After the war he returned to Norfolk and lived out his life. In 1921, his name was somehow inexplicably left off the final list of World War I soldiers to be memorialized.
Now, 101 years later, the markers of the monument, which was designed by Alfredo Taylor and includes a replica if the Liberty Bell, have been removed to be refurbished and will soon proudly include the name of John H. Bailey.
On this Memorial Day, the name of Lt. Daniel Henry Thorson will be added to the Honor Roll at Memorial Green. Thorson was killed in Norfolk while on a training flight during World War II. According to the New England Aviation History website, Thorson took off from Long Island bound for Bradley Field on March 31, 1943, flying a P-40 Warhawk. Upon reaching Norfolk, the weather took a turn for the worse. Sleet, fog, and wind forced the fighter plane out of the sky, crashing into a remote section of Great Mountain Forest known as Blackberry Ridge. An exhaustive military search was called off after a week. Two students at the Yale Forestry School happened upon the crash site in April of that year, while conducting a timber survey. In 2003, a granite memorial was erected at the scene of the crash. Despite the fact Thorson was born and raised in Great Falls Montana, many townspeople felt Norfolk needed to acknowledge a member of the armed services who perished in the town borders in wartime. Daryl Bryne, the head of the veteran affairs office, says “It’s only fitting that we honor this man.”
The Norfolk Veterans Affairs office stresses that all our veterans, past and present, need to be recognized and commemorated, including those who gave “the last full measure of devotion.” The group feels it is the least they can do to express the heartfelt thanks of the people of Norfolk to all people who have worn the uniform in defense and service to our nation. The updated plaques will be in place for the Norfolk Memorial Day parade and ceremonies.
