During the month of December, the 28th Lights for Peace flag to fly at the Fort Taber – Fort Rodman Military Museum honors the memory of Albert S. Broadland, formerly of 17 Buttonwood Street, New Bedford, who served his country honorably during WWII with the 98th Bombardment Group of the United States Army Air Corps.

Albert was born on September 2, 1913 in South Dartmouth, MA. He spent most of his life as a resident of New Bedford. He graduated New Bedford High School in 1933 and attended New Bedford Textile School. He was employed by Morse Drill and Machine Company before being inducted into the U.S. Army Air Force on Feb. 14, 1941 at the age of 27. He served with the Coast Artillery at Fort Wright, NY before volunteering for overseas duty on the day Pearl Harbor was attacked.

Broadland earned the rank of TSgt. (Technical Sergeant) as an airplane maintenance chief and aerial gunner. He served from March 14, 1941 to May 31, 1945, participating in numerous battles and earning both the Silver Star and Air Medal for his courageous efforts.

According to an undated Standard-Times article Broadland narrowly escaped injury while assigned to an Army Transport Service as a gun crew member. While serving aboard the Army Transport he made three trips to Iceland, one to Scotland and one to Africa and Egypt. On one of these trips, his transport was sunk by an enemy submarine and he barely escaped with this life.

Broadland went on to receive his Gunner’s Wing in 1942 and flew his first mission over Munich in June of that year. He participated in major bombing assaults in all parts of the Balkans, Austria, Germany and Northern Italy.

He earned the Silver Star for “Gallantry in action as an aerial gunner on a B-24 Liberator Bomber.” The presentation was made by Brigadier-General Hugo P. Rush, his Wing Commander at a heavy bomber base in Italy. The citation reads: “On July 1, 1944, as waist gunner of a B-24 type aircraft, Sgt. Broadland participated in a bombing mission against an enemy aircraft factory in Germany. Arriving in the target area, such intense anti-aircraft fire was encountered that fragments struck an ammunition box in the tail of this aircraft causing the ammunition to explode. Instantly realizing the grave danger to his plane and crew, Sgt. Broadland, with utter disregard for personal safety, picked up the still exploding ammunition box and threw it from the plane. Sgt. Broadland’s quick action unquestionably saved his aircraft and crew from serious damage and enabled them to continue on and drop bombs squarely on the target.”

According to the citation, Broadland participated in 35 successful missions against the enemy. “By his outstanding gallantry, initiative and devotion to duty, as evidenced throughout 35 successful missions against the enemy, Sgt. Broadland has reflected great credit upon himself and the armed forces of the united States of America.”

Throughout his army career, Broadland traveled 200,000 miles of ocean, sailing twice around the globe and landing on every continent. He crossed the Atlantic Ocean eight times, the Indian Ocean four times, and the Pacific Ocean twice. According to a Standard-Times newspaper article, “Broadland crossed the equator 10 times, making him a full fledge member of the Sons of Neptune.”

Marineinsight.com explains that “seamen who have crossed the equator are referred to as Shellbacks or Sons of Neptune.” This unofficial term comes from the belief that “King Neptune is said to be the ruler of the seas.” Celebrations are often held to “appease the King by showing him respect, to keep a sailor away from the perils of the sea and to bring good luck.”

The Army Air Corps Museum provides details on the 98th Bombardment Group’s movements during TSgt. Broadland’s service as follows. The unit was activated on February 3, 1942 and moved to the Mediterranean theater in July 1942. The Bombardment Group entered into combat in August 1942, bombing shipping and harbor installations in Libya, Tunisia, Sicily, Italy, Crete and Greece to cut enemy supply lines to Africa. They also hit airdromes and rail facilities in Sicily and Italy. The unit received a Distinguished Unit Citation for action against the enemy in the Middle East, North Africa, and Sicily from Aug 1942 to Aug 1943. The unit was also awarded another Distinguished Unit Citation for participation in a low-level assault on oil refineries at Ploesti, Romania on August 1, 1943. Afterward the group flew many long-range missions to Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and the Balkans to bomb such strategic targets as industries, airdromes, harbors, and communications

TSgt. Broadland honorably served his country and earned the following awards for his service: The Good Conduct Medal, The Air Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, The Silver Star, American Defense service medal, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theatre Ribbon with 4 service stars and the American Theater Campaign Ribbon.

Albert S. Broadland passed away at the age of 80 years old on November 21, 1993. He was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Ole S. Broadland and the husband of Helen Broadland of New Bedford, MA.

Linda Ferreira, of Empire Ford of New Bedford, researches the life histories of area residents. American flags are provided by Empire Ford of New Bedford. Flags are raised by the staff at Fort Taber – Fort Rodman Military Museum. Those who would like to honor a local veteran in the future can contact Ferreira at lferreira@buyempireautogroup.com.

Henry Quinlan, a man with a long history in book publishing while raising a family on the South Coast, has released this trivia book with his granddaughter, Caroline Murphy, who captained the soccer and track teams at Old Rochester, was the book’s photographer.

Quinlan packs this paperback with more than 150 pages of facts, folklore, trivia and treasures that the region has to offer, creating a mini travel guide of sorts to plenty of forgotten spots of historical importance.

With chapters dedicated to each city and town from Acushnet to Westport (or Fall River to Wareham if you prefer geographically over alphabetically) you’ll learn those hidden tidbits that contribute to the distinctness of each city or town and make for great dinner party fodder.

In his latest book on the South Coast, Quinlan’s trivia ranges from well-known facts to lesser-known insights. And of course, all the icons of the South Coast, past and present, make appearances. Murphy’s photographs will test your knowledge of buildings and objects, some of which you might notice regularly but have never learned the story behind.

The book features special sections on fishing, cranberries, notable women, folklore and concludes with Quinlan’s personal picks for the most amazing Treasures of the South Coast.

What are they? You’ll have to pick up a copy to find out. To purchase a copy visit Amazon or Omni-Pub.com where right now you can get two copies for just $15.

During the month of November, the 27th Lights for Peace flag to fly at the Fort Taber – Fort Rodman Military Museum honors the memory of Linden Sidney Worden, who served during WWII as a Radioman 1st Class, aboard the USS Greene.

Worden was born in New Bedford, MA on February 6, 1923, the son of the late Robert and Ida (Faulkner) Worden, growing up on Mott Street in the South End of the city. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on October 1, 1942, leaving school to serve his country.

He attended the United States Naval Training Station in Newport, RI as well as completed a 16 week training course at the Massachusetts Radio & TE School in Boston, MA. He was then assigned to the USS Greene.
According to the website history.navy.mil, the USS Greene was commissioned on May 9, 1919 and launched on November 2, 1918 by the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp. in Quincy, MA. She was decommissioned on June 17, 1922.

The USS Greene was then recommissioned in June 1940. One week after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor; the AVD-13 sailed for Brazil. During the summer of 1942 she served as a seaplane tender. In January 1944, she was converted to a high speed transport, designated APD-36. After intensive training she took part in Operation Dragoon, the invasion of Southern France, then serving as an escort in the Mediterranean, until departing in December for Norfolk, VA. Then in April 1945, the USS Greene escorted four carriers to Okinawa, while the battle of Okinawa raged. In October of 1945, the USS Greene was struck by a typhoon which grounded her beyond repair. She was decommissioned in November of that year.

Worden served three years, three months and eight days with the United States Navy and was honorably discharged in January 1946. He earned the following awards for his military service: WWII Victory Medal, American Theatre Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the European-African-Middle East-Theatre Medal, the Amphibious Force Insignia, the Presidential Unit Citation (1 blue star) and the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Medal (1 bronze star).

Upon completing his military service, Worden worked in the retail business, including employment with Cumberland Farms for many years. He was a ham radio enthusiast as well as an avid reader, eventually retiring to West Palm Beach, Florida.

He passed away on August 9, 2021 following a long illness. He spent the last month of his life in Hinton, WV at the Bowers Hospice House, near his daughter, Lynne.

According to Worden’s son, Stephen, his father “literally sailed the world from the north Atlantic to the South Pacific. His unit received a Presidential Unit Citation for escorting merchant ships through German U-Boat infested waters and participating in the capture of a German submarine. He was the last surviving crew member of the USS Greene.” Stephen proudly describes his father as a very “humble man and a great father.”

Linden Worden is survived by his son Stephen Worden and wife Kelly of New Bedford, MA; two daughters, Marilyn McKillop and husband James of Walpole, MA and Lynne Bauer and husband John of Hinton, WV; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Rhea (Aubut) Worden who passed away in 1999 and his brother Robert Worden.

Linda Ferreira, of Empire Ford of New Bedford, researches the life histories of area residents. American flags are provided by Empire Ford of New Bedford. Flags are raised by the staff at Fort Taber – Fort Rodman Military Museum. Those who would like to honor a local veteran in the future can contact Ferreira at lferreira@buyempireautogroup.com.

During the month of October, the 26th Lights for Peace flag to fly at the Fort Taber – Fort Rodman Military Museum honors the memory of Dr. Joseph Figueiredo Souza, Jr. who served a long and distinguished military career including six years in the Marine Corps Reserve and twenty-one years in the United States Air Force.

Dr. Joseph F. Souza, Jr., known to family and friends, as “Zack,” was born on the Cape Verdean Island of Sao Nicolau, the son of Joseph F. Souza, Sr. and Anna Tavares Souza. He later emigrated to New Bedford, MA where he “became a world traveler, military officer, college professor, linguist, psychologist, artist, musician, and respected community member,” according to the publishing company Lulu.com.

Souza was a graduate of New Bedford High School and continued his studies at Worcester State College, Troy State University and Heed University, where he earned a Ph.D. degree in Counseling Psychology.

During his 27 year of military career, Souza served abroad in France, Spain and Panama. According to his obituary, he also worked in Portugal and Italy in the service of the Portuguese Government. Souza retired in 1983 at the rank of Captain.

Upon retirement he continued to stay busy and served on the boards of many local organizations including the New Bedford Historical Society, North Star Learning Centers and the Ford Taber – Fort Rodman Military Museum. He was also an accomplished artist, musician and author. He would often donate his artwork to local non-profits to raise money for their organizations.
Dr. Souza is a self-published author of the book entitled, “Once an Islander,” which is an autobiography, recounting his life’s journey of a “young boy born in a humble country village on the island of Sao Nicolau, Cape Verde Islands, who made his way to America and became a military officer, a psychologist, and an accomplished artist and writer,” as stated in the “About the Author” section of his book.

He later moved to Avondale, Arizona where he spent time entertaining members of the Avondale Senior Center with his music.

Mr. Souza passed away on July 28, 2021 on the day he turned 83 years old. He is survived by his wife Dawn Blake Souza; his two sons Paul and his wife, Isabell of New Bedford, Richard and his wife Ana Paula who reside in Washington, New Jersey; his two granddaughters, Christina and Vanessa and his great-granddaughter Lily Rose. Hi is also survived by his stepchildren, Cynthia Lopes Miles (Ira), Renee Lopes Pocknett (Vernon), Philip Lopes (Eva), Jason Lopes (Amy) and T.J. Thomas. He was previously the widower of Maria Rosa Lopes Morais of Lisbon, Portugal.
Linda Ferreira, of Empire Ford of New Bedford, researches the life histories of area residents. American flags are provided by Empire Ford of New Bedford. Flags are raised by the staff at Fort Taber – Fort Rodman Military Museum. Those who would like to honor a local veteran in the future can contact Ferreira at lferreira@buyempireautogroup.com.

During the month of September, the 25th Lights for Peace flag to fly at the Fort Taber – Fort Rodman Military Museum honors the memory of Leopold Mathieu, a WWI Veteran who served as a Sergeant in the Medical Detachment for the American Expeditionary Forces from 1917 to 1919.

Mathieu was born in Henryville, Canada on February 8, 1895 and moved to the New Bedford, MA area at the age of sixteen. According to his military records, Mathieu served in France as part of the American Mission Reserve Mallet unit over a 3 year period from 1917 to 1919.

The website, historynet.com stated that “in the years prior to (the U.S.) entry into the war, those in the United States who sympathized with the Allies formed the American Field Service (AFS) to supply the Allied Forces with ambulances and volunteer drivers.” It is not clear if Mathieu had joined the AFS prior to serving in the American Expeditionary Forces, however he did have a distinguished military career serving in 8 major operations in France during WWI.
According to his grandson, Peter Mathieu, he was one of the most decorated medics in WWI. Sgt. Mathieu was awarded the Victory Medal with eight bronze stars for the following operations he took part in: Somme Defensive, March 21 – April 6, 1918; Aisne Defensive, May 27 – June 5, 1918; Montdidier-Noyon Defensive, June 9 – 13, 1918; Champagne-Marne Defensive, July 15 – 18, 1918; Aisne-Marne Offensive, July 18 – Aug 6, 1918; Somme Offensive, Aug. 8 – Sept. 9, 1918; Oise-Aisne Offensive Sept. 10 – Oct. 11, 1918; and Somme Offensive, Oc. 12 – Nov 11, 1918.
“After the war, it was said that probably no other organization had done more to cement Franco-American friendship than the Réserve Mallet. The French supplied their experience and the Americans contributed their youth and energy,” as stated on historynet.com.

He married Lea (Demanche) and together they had six children: Jacqueline Duclos and Atty. Paul Mathieu of New Bedford as well as the late Germaine Surprenant, Claire Landreville, Simonne Dionne, and Normand Mathieu, all of New Bedford.

Mathieu went on to become a pharmacist and was the owner/operator of the Nash Pharmacy, retiring after 45 years. He was a founding member of VFW Post 3260 at 929 Ashely Blvd as well as a member of Post 1 American Legion, the Southeastern Massachusetts and New Bedford Druggists Association, the Massachusetts Pharmaceutical Association and the New Bedford Driving Cub.
Leopold Mathieu passed away on August 5, 1966 at the age of 71.

Linda Ferreira, of Empire Ford of New Bedford, researches the life histories of area residents. American flags are provided by Empire Ford of New Bedford. Flags are raised by the staff at Fort Taber – Fort Rodman Military Museum. Those who would like to honor a local veteran in the future can contact Ferreira at lferreira@buyempireautogroup.com.

During the month of July, the 23rd Lights for Peace flag to fly at the Fort Taber – Fort Rodman Military Museum honors the memory of Judge George N. Leighton, who served as a Captain in the 25th Infantry Division of U.S. Army during WWII.

George Leighton was born in New Bedford on October 22, 1912 to Antonio and Anna Leitao, who were natives of Cape Verde. He came from very humble beginnings and was forced to leave school at an early age, just before entering 7th grade, to help earn money for his family. His drive and ambition, as well as his love of reading and talent for writing, helped him to earn a scholarship to Howard University which set him on a path of success. He would eventually become a prominent lawyer and judge, serving as the first Cape Verdean on the Illinois Appellate Court. He was well known for his work as a civil rights lawyer and his involvement with the NAACP (National Assoc. for the Advancement of Colored People). A major milestone in his career came when he was nominated by President Gerald Ford to serve as a U.S. District Court judge and confirmed on Feb. 2, 1976.

Leighton spent most of his early years living in New Bedford and Wareham. According to an on-line biographical sketch, instead of attending 7th grade, he took a job on an oil tanker sailing from Fall River to Aruba. He spent most of his free time reading extensively. In the winter of 1936, Leighton entered an essay contest for the Cape Verdean Memorial Scholarship Fund and was awarded $200, which provided the initial tuition for any college of his choice.

He submitted an application to Howard University and was accepted as an “unclassified student.” The registrar informed him that if he could prove he could do the college work, without having attended high school, he would be a candidate for a degree. At the end of the first semester, Leighton made the Dean’s Honor Roll and was made a candidate for a degree in the College of Liberal Arts. He graduated in 1940, magna cum laude.

Leighton was then awarded a first year scholarship to Harvard Law School and enrolled in September 1940. He was drafted to serve in the United States Army on March 6, 1942, during WWII. He reported to Fort Benning, GA where he attended the 206th Basic Class of Reserve Officers. He was ordered to report for duty with the 93rd Infantry Division at Fort Huachuca, AZ on June 18, 1942.

He served with the 93rd Division as a Munitions Officer, earning the rank of Captain while serving in the New Guinea Campaign and the Solomon Islands Campaign. According to his military records, he was relieved from military service on Feb. 6, 1946.

Upon his discharge from the military, he returned to Harvard Law School and graduated on November 25, 1946 with his LLB (Legum Baccalaureus) or Bachelor of Laws degree. He passed the Massachusetts Bar exam Oct. 1946. He moved to Chicago IL and was admitted to the Bar of the State of Illinois in January 1947, where he began is long and distinguished career.

The Illinois State Bar Association Newsletter featured a story: A life in the law: George N. Leighton, 1912-2018, written by Hon. Alfred M. Swanson Jr., a retired judge. In this newsletter, Judge Timothy Evans describes Judge Leighton’s experience upon arriving in Chicago at that time. “Judge Leighton came to Chicago in 1946 at a time when an African-American man could neither rent an office downtown nor hail a taxi in the loop. He made a name for himself as an attorney who fought for voting rights, integrated schools, fair housing and equal access to jury service.”

Leighton became involved in civic affairs in Chicago, presiding as President of the Chicago Chapter of the Howard University Alumni Assoc., Chairman of the Legal Redress Committee of the Chicago Branch NAACP, served two terms as the President of the Chicago Branch of the NAACP, as well as becoming a Life Member.

According to A Biographical Sketch of George N. Leighton, “Leighton was active in cases that attracted national attention. In 1950, Leighton represented Negro parents of school children in Harrisburg, Illinois in a proceeding which he filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. An injunction was obtained ordering desegregation of the public schools of Harrisburg Illinois.”

Leighton “was on the cutting edge of several issues,” working diligently with the NAACP and one of this clients “included Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.”

Hon. Alfred M. Swanson explained that “as an attorney, George Leighton never shied away from unpopular cases or people.” He took a case in the early 1950’s, representing an African-American family in Cicero, IL, a suburb of Chicago. The case involved enforcing a lease for the family to move into an apartment. “That resulted in fierce opposition; the building was burned and there was a riot in the streets. Rather than charges against the rioters, attorney Leighton was indicted for inciting the riot. His defense attorney who got the indictment dismissed was a fellow NAACP attorney, Thurgood Marshall, who later became the first African-American justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

In 1951, Leighton organized the law firm, Moore, Ming & Leighton, which was “considered by the profession to be one of the largest predominately black law firms in the United States.” After 18 years of serving as a lawyer, Leighton was elected to the position of a Justice of the Circuit Court of Cook County in November 1964. In July of 1969 he became the first African-American to serve as a judge on the Illinois Appellate Court. Then, on Dec. 19, 1975, President Gerald Ford nominated Judge Leighton to serve as a United States District Judge, Northern District of IL. He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Feb. 29, 1976.

Lee Blake of the New Bedford Historical Society explains that there are many references to Judge Leighton becoming the first African-American to hold the position of Judge on the

Illinois Appellate Court, yet Leighton was of a Cape Verdean descent. There seems to be a difference of interpretation when it comes to some Cape Verdeans considering themselves African-Americans while others consider themselves a mixed race, Latino or white. For the purpose of this article, the term African-American is used when the source it was taken from references it.

The biography explains that “during his professional career, Leighton represented plaintiffs and defendants in civil cases of every kind. He defended more than 200 criminal charges in bench and jury trials. During this same period he handled more than 175 appeals or reviews, civil and criminal, in state and federal courts.”

Leighton was initiated as an honorary member of the Chicago Alumni Chapter of the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity in October 2009. Based on recollections of friends and colleagues, Leighton explains his reasoning for wanting to become a lawyer. “I don’t know how many of you have ever kneeled on a cranberry bog, but let me tell you what happens. Cranberry vines are like thistles. So, I was there, on my knees, weeding and the hot August sun was beating me on my head when I got the idea that I wanted to be a lawyer. I had never spoken to a lawyer, I didn’t know what lawyers did for a living. The only explanation I had was that in the heat of the day and the pain I my knees from the vines, it must have occurred to me that there just had to be a better way of earning a living.”

Hon. Alfred M. Swanson describes Leighton as “a fearless litigator and a fierce advocate for this clients and causes in which he believed. Friends and colleagues also described George Leighton as a gentleman, a scholar with a passionate love of the law, and a man with an infectious sense of humor who always had a smile. A man with so many accomplishments it is difficult to list them all.”

During a dinner at the 2012 NAACP breakfast, held at UMASS Dartmouth, Leighton shared these words: “Don’t forget to devote your time to the poor, the voiceless, the oppressed, the not guilty innocent who are prosecuted in our courtrooms.”

Also in 2012, Judge Leighton was one of the leading guests at the 2012 Cape Verdean Recognition Committee Scholarship awards dinner; the same scholarship that Leighton received 77 years earlier that changed the trajectory of his life.

Judge Leighton died at the age of 104 on June 6, 2018. He and his late wife, Virginia Berry Quivers, had two daughters: Virginia Anne and Barbara Elaine.

Linda Ferreira, of Empire Ford of New Bedford, researches the life histories of area residents. American flags are provided by Empire Ford of New Bedford. Flags are raised by the staff at Fort Taber – Fort Rodman Military Museum. Those who would like to honor a local veteran in the future can contact Ferreira at lferreira@buyempireautogroup.com

The Revere Bell is a cherished local artifact that is an important part of Fairhaven’s local history. The bell is being located, and students at Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech are integral in this process. Our students worked on a model of the cupola that once housed the Revere Bell at Oxford School located in Fairhaven, MA. The bell and new cupola housing will be located on the right side of Townhall behind the flagpole area in Fairhaven. Under the direction and leadership of Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, students will create and build the housing for such an important piece of local history.

The Paul Revere Bell was cast in 1796 at Revere’s foundry in Boston MA. The bell was entered into Revere’s ledger on May 24, 1796.

Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech photo.

The bell was ordered by Isaac Sherman, Samual Proctor of the Second Church of Christ in New Bedford. The church and meeting house was built in 1794 and was located where the Euro building now stands in the center of Fairhaven. In 1796 there was no town of Fairhaven, it was all New Bedford. The bell was put into the cupola on top of the church/ meeting house. The original structure no longer remains. The bell stayed at the building until 1914.

The Revere bell cost 100 pounds and 16 shillings and was paid by cash. The bell itself was listed at a weight of 756 pounds and bears the inscription. “ The Living to the Church I Call and to the Grave I Summon All” the cost and paid by cash was entered into Revere’s logbook and initialed in the corner by Paul Revere himself.

The Bell was the 12th bell cast at the Revere Foundry and is the 3rd oldest known bell in the world. The bell was picked up in Boston at Davis Wharf by the sloop Free Love & Polly under Captain Mosir.

In 1812 when Fairhaven became a Town the church changed its name to the First Congregational Church of Fairhaven. In 1914 The Town of Fairhaven added onto the Oxford school and built a cupola and purchased the bell from the church and installed it on top of Oxford where it stayed until present day and its history long-rumored and forgotten.

Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech photo.

The bell was researched by Doug Brady, Chair of the Fairhaven Bell Committee along with the Paul Revere Museum Director, who brought the history of the bell back to life and recognized its importance as a national and town treasure.

The bell was removed from its original place because Oxford school was closed and sold off to become a housing complex and would no longer be owned by the town of Fairhaven.

Many years from now, the former students will be able to look upon the cupola at townhall and tell their children they helped build the design and history of the Revere Bell. Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech students and faculty involved in this extremely impactful project are honored to be working with this piece of local history.

During the month of June, the 22nd Lights for Peace flag to fly at the Fort Taber – Fort Rodman Military Museum honors the memory of Floyd Carr, a New Bedford resident who attended West Point and served in the Army Cavalry.

Floyd Carr, also known as “Chick” Carr, was born in 1897 in Washington D.C. He enlisted in April 1918 at the Washington Barracks of the Cavalry Detachment of the U.S. Military Academy West Point, where he served as a riding instructor.

A recent Washington Post article sheds light on the important role of the African American history at West Point and the segregation that took place. “Amid entrenched racial segregation, units of the famous African American troops known as Buffalo Soldiers were brought to West Point to teach horsemanship. They were part of the rugged cavalry outfits that had served the Army in the west and were named by Native Americans who feared them and fought them. At West Point, they wrangled horses, cleaned the stables and sawed ice for refrigerators.” It is not clear if Mr. Carr was part of the Buffalo Soldiers but he served during the same time.

The article went on to explain how generals were trained by Buffalo Soldiers. “Every stellar general that you might name from WWII would have received their riding instruction and instruction in mounted drill from those Buffalo Soldiers. They brought excellence. They bought mastery. They brought high discipline. They brought soldiers who were exemplary in appearance… and conduct.”

Back in the late 1800’s blacks did not have as many choices for employment as whites, “so to a black young man, the Army was a much better option than for a white young man. And the Army was a place where black soldiers received the same pay as white soldiers,” according to the Washington Post. “Still, it could be a tough job. The black soldiers’ barracks were adjacent to the stables, which the black soldiers had to clean. The horses had to be cared for, and the cadets – and others- trained.

In an oral history interview from 2015, Sanders H. Matthews Sr., a retired Army Sergeant, believed to be the last West Point Buffalo Soldier, explained “Monday through Friday we taught cadets to ride. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays we taught cadets to ride, their girlfriends, the officers…their children, their wives.” he said. “We had no time off for ourselves.”

“On March 23, 1907, the United States Military Academy Detachment of Cavalry was changed to a ‘colored’ unit,” as described by Wikipedia. “This had been a long time coming. It had been proposed in 1897 at the ‘Cavalry and Light Artillery School’ at Fort Riley, Kansas that West Point cadets learn their riding skills from the black noncommissioned officers who were considered the best. The 100-man detachment from the 9th, and 10th Cavalry served to teach future officers at West Point riding instruction, mounted drill, and tactics until 1947. The West Point ‘Escort of Honour’ detachment of the 10th Cavalry was distinguished in 1931 by being the last regular Army unit to be issued with the M1902 blue dress uniform for all ranks. This parade uniform had ceased to be worn by other regiments after 1917.”

Floyd Carr lived in New Bedford for 40 years and was known in the boxing circles in which he traveled around the country. According to his obituary, he was a classmate of the late Duke Ellington, a famous jazz composer and pianist. Carr lived at 797 Kempton St., New Bedford and was employed by Oregon Cleaners, Dyers Co. and Liberty Laundry.

Carr was the husband of the late Gladys (Biggins) Carr. They had seven children: Floyd I. of Brockton, Leroy of New Bedford, Mrs. Claudette Blake, Mrs. Floretta Eastman, Mrs. Marjorie O’Campo and Mrs. Sheila Chumack, all of New Bedford, and Mrs. Aleata Livramento of Boston. He was the brother of the late Leonard Carr and the late Mrs. Bertha M. Johnson, both of Philadelphia. He had 27 grandchildren.

Linda Ferreira, of Empire Ford of New Bedford, researches the life histories of area residents. American flags are provided by Empire Ford of New Bedford. Flags are raised by the staff at Fort Taber – Fort Rodman Military Museum. Those who would like to honor a local veteran in the future can contact Ferreira at lferreira@buyempireautogroup.com.

Here is another installment in our Who Remembers? series. You can browse previous articles by using the search bar on the right or by clicking here. These articles are strolls down memory lane. In some cases, the buildings, but new businesses have replaced them. In other instances, the buildings or even the properties have been razed. Instead of a building, it may be a TV show, personality, or commercial that no one longer exists. Either way, it can’t stop us from taking the Memory Lane stroll!

As always we would rather this be a discussion. No one knows this area better than those who grew up here! Please, leave constructive criticism, feedback, and corrections. We’d love to hear your anecdotes. Please share!

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In a typical year of fishing for Atlantic sea scallops, around 55 million pounds are harvested at a value of approximately $570 million. Massachusetts is the state where more scallops are brought to port than anywhere else in the country and the city of New Bedford is responsible for a lion’s share of this annual scallop harvesting: we have been the nation’s most valuable port for 20 years straight with scallops comprising about 80% of the seafood we caught. We’re not only darn good at scalloping, but we’ve been doing it since 1883.

Yazan Elayan photo

While the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has reported that scallops are not currently overharvested and New Bedford’s fishermen are more than eager to head out to sea and meet the demands of hungry seafood lovers, the New England Fishery Management Council said that there will be a significant drop in this year’s catch, to a predicted 40 million pounds. This likely means an increase from the average current price of $20 per pound, but that also depends on how much scallops are brought to market from foreign markets.

We obviously love scallops! Wrapped in bacon, seared lemon-garlic butter, fried scallops, scallop roll, broiled, stuffed scallops, in a casserole, paella, or stew, or as part of a surf ‘n turf, you name it, our love affair with the bivalve. Believe it or not, what we call a “scallop” is actually the adductor muscle of a saltwater clam that is responsible for closing the clam’s shell. The muscle only makes up about 30% of the clam and the rest is the stomach, digestive glands, eyes, intestines, a “foot,” heart, tentacles (yes, tentacles), gonads (yes, gonads!), gills, ovary or roe, etc. A strange creature that belies its tastiness!

Now that we’ve satisfied Joe Friday’s requirements about our beloved scallop, let’s have some foodie talk. We are the world’s highest-grossing seafood ports and the majority of that seafood is scallops, thereby producing revenue for the city and plenty of jobs, why the heck do we not have a Scallop festival?!

The insides of the saltwater clam showing the proportion of the adductor muscle or “scallop” compared to the entire clam.

We have a Seaport Chowder Festival (which does feature scallop shucking) Folk Festival, Jazz Festival, two Portuguese “Feasts”, and until recently a Whaling City Festival and Working Waterfront Festival. These festivals characterize everything that is quintessentially New Bedford. No scallop festival seems to be a glaring oversight and an obvious event that would generate revenue for the city as well as please tens of thousands of people.

An obvious idea is obvious, you say? Well, this is not a new idea, but instead, an old idea: New Bedford had its first Scallop Festival in 1958!

The festival was the brainchild of the New Bedford Exchange Club and the New Bedford Seafood Co-Op who wanted to promote the idea of scallops being tasty, fat-free, boneless, and nutritious and help boost profits in the novel industry. Incredibly, not many people were familiar with scallops being on the dinner plate and the two groups felt that a festival where locals could have a taste would be a great way to introduce locals to the idea. The dish they tried to promote? Nope, not scallops wrapped in bacon, but “Curried Scallop Kebabs.” Say what?

Poster advertising “Curried Scallop Kebabs” during the New Bedford Scallop Festival.

Each August, organizers would pitch tents at Pope’s Island for 3 days, and with the help of mascots “Sammy the Scallop” and “Susie Scallop” they would promote the festival which brought in people from the South Coast, Boston, Providence, and Cape Cod and beyond. They would flock to the annual event to gobble up the “Pearl of the Atlantic” in as many ways as chefs could create.

The price for a pound of scallops at that first festival? 60 cents during the winter and half that in the summer, prices which likely reflected the supply – more scallops available, the lower the cost for the consumer, and more boats harvesting in the summer meant driving down prices.

Each year, for a decade, the New Bedford Scallop Festival grew until it hit a snag in the market price: in 1968 there was a decline in landings of scallops while there was simultaneously an increase in yellowtail flounder landings. Organizers switched gears and redubbed the festival to the New Bedford Seafood Festival and alas the scallop festival was no more.

Postcard featuring two of the festivals mascots, “Sammie and “Susie.”

But here we sit more than 50 years later in a much different seafood market. There’s no need to convince people that scallops are tasty or that we should curry kebab them. Oh, we know scallops intimately now. How about we bring back the New Bedford Scallop Festival, the 11th Annual New Bedford Scallop Festival to be exact.

Can you imagine the aroma of scallops, bacon, garlic, and butter being cooked, wafting through the air? We could have live music, food trucks and stands, a shucking contest, a seafood market, and awards for the best dishes. All the area seafood companies could supply the festival with seafood, and feature their products and employees, while the restaurants can offer signature scallop dishes right from their menu.

Once again we would draw a crowd from the region and beyond, bringing in revenue and a boost to local businesses as visitors explored the rest of the city, enjoying and exploring all the New Bedford has to offer. How about it New Bedford?

Live scallop in its natural habitat.

Yazan Elayan photo

Yazan Elayan photo

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Do you recall when the New Bedford Scallop Festival was up and running? Remember the mascots “Sammie and Susie”? Would like to see it return? Let us know in the comment section or email us at info@newbedfordguide.com.

During the month of May, the 21st Lights for Peace flag to fly at the Fort Taber – Fort Rodman Military Museum honors the memory of George E. Patisteas, killed in action at the age of 19, during WWII aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Bunker Hill, while serving in the United States Navy.

George Evangelos Patisteas was born on January 10, 1926. He was the son of Greek immigrants, Evangelos and Olga (Bakakeas) Patisteas and was the brother of Arthur, James, Stella and Aphrodite.

George was seventeen years old when he decided to leave New Bedford High School in his Junior year to enlist in the United States Navy on February 26, 1943. He received his training at the U.S. Naval Training Station in Sampson, NY and was assigned to the USS Bunker Hill as a Fireman First Class.

During his “nearly two years overseas, Patisteas had taken part in 10 major battles and 12 engagements. Then came that dreadful morning, May 11, 1945. While supporting the invasion of Okinawa, Japan, the USS Bunker Hill was attacked” by two Kamikaze planes. “George, along with 346 other crew members, perished in the attack. Another 246 were injured and another 43 were reported missing. The attack came just 4 months before WWII would end. He was buried at sea,” as detailed in a podcast by Linda Roy of the Standard-Times, in a series entitled Traffic Island, which profiles the veterans behind the names we see on highways, bridges, overpasses and traffic islands that are honored throughout the city.

It is fitting that Mr. Patisteas is being honored during the month of May, marking the 76th anniversary of the attack on the USS Bunker Hill. Over the years there have been many ceremonies honoring F 1/c Patisteas, who died at the age of 19, while serving his country heroically.

On July 4, 2007, the city of New Bedford honored Patisteas by naming the overpass on Route 195 and Route 18, the George Patisteas Memorial Overpass. Scott Lang, the mayor at that time, attended the ceremony stating “He was a true American hero. George went to war to protect us and he gave his ultimate. He gave his life.”
George’s brother, James, a Navy veteran himself, was quoted as saying “The whole family is so grateful. It goes to show that no matter how many years go by, the memory of the sacrifice they made never dies.”

According to a Standard Times article, Kenneth G. Monteiro, George’s nephew, who led the effort to have Mr. Patisteas honored, choked with emotion as he addressed the gathering. “I had the idea, the dream,” he said. Monteiro described how meaningful it was to have his uncle remembered along with the other men who lost their lives in the attack that took the USS Bunker Hill out of commission for the remainder of World War II.

On December 8, 2014, 73 years after the attack on Pearl Harbor, veterans were honored at Battleship Cove in Fall River. The ceremony marked the moment of the devastating surprise attack by the Japanese on Pearl Harbor 73 years earlier. Navy military and museum leaders aboard the Battleship shared the history of that day and their appreciation for those who died in the attack, moving the large crowds to both silence and applause in honor of their country and their lost veterans.

“That history bears repeating on each anniversary, so that each subsequent generation will know what happened there and will never forget what that terrible day meant for America,” said Adm. Gardner Howe, President of the Naval War College in Newport, RI.

The Massachusetts Medal of Liberty Ceremony was held on May 22, 2019, when Representative Hendricks joined Governor Charles Baker and Major General Gary Keefe to honor service men and women from the Commonwealth who were killed in action or died in service. Veteran’s next of kin received the Massachusetts Medal of Liberty to recognize their family member’s service and sacrifice. According to a Standard-Times article, Stella Monteiro, George’s sister, accepted the medal on behalf of her brother.

Private 1st Class George E. Patisteas is memorialized at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, where his name is inscribed upon the Tablets of the Missing in Honolulu, Hawaii. He received the following commendations for his service to our country: the WWII Victory Medal, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the American Campaign Medal, the Navy Presidential Unit Citation, the Navy Good Conduct Medal the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and the Navy Expeditionary Medal.

Linda Ferreira, of Empire Ford of New Bedford, researches the life histories of area residents. American flags are provided by Empire Ford of New Bedford. Flags are raised by the staff at Fort Taber – Fort Rodman Military Museum. Those who would like to honor a local veteran in the future can contact Ferreira at lferreira@buyempireautogroup.com.