Middleboro Bridge Rededicated For Late WWII Veteran After Vandalism

MIDDLEBORO (CBS) – Residents in Middleboro rededicated a bridge named for a local soldier killed fighting in World War II after it was vandalized earlier this year.

In advance of Memorial Day In May, Bob Lessard and other members of the Middleboro American Legion were checking memorials in town. They discovered the sign for the bridge on Plymouth Street had been spray painted.

In 1979 the bridge had been named after Sgt. Leo Forcier, who was killed fighting in Germany in 1945. He was 30 years old when he died.

On Wednesday, the town held a ceremony to rededicate the bridge in Forcier's honor, complete with a 21-gun salute.

"We're really proud to have this done today," Lessard told WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Ben Parker.

Middleboro's veteran's agent said the disappointing action of the person who vandalized the sign ended on a positive note as the ceremony provided the opportunity to shine the spotlight on Forcier's actions.

"Just the fact that he wasn't forgotten, that he was remembered," was meaningful to Forcier's family, his nephew said.

The person who vandalized the sign was never found.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Ben Parker reports