Shrewsbury – A bipartisan event hosted jointly by the Shrewsbury Democratic and Republican Town Committees on St. Patrick's Day raised over $6,000 toward the effort to replace Shrewsbury's World War I Monument. All proceeds went directly to the Victor Quaranta American Legion Post 397, which is collecting funds for the project.
Over 100 people turned out for the event, which was held at the Italian American Victory Club. The evening featured Irish step-dancing, joke-telling, karaoke, and even a song by special co-hosts Congressman James McGovern, state Rep. Matt Beaton, R-Shrewsbury, state Sen. Michael Moore, D-Millbury and Selectman James Kane. Town Moderator Chris Mehne emceed the event.
A total of $120,000 is needed to complete the project. Prior to the event, approximately $70,000 in monetary and in-kind donations had been raised toward the cause. The current World War I Monument, located on Maple Avenue in front of Beal School, is over 80 years old and in need of replacement. Beal School itself is named for Major Howard W. Beal, a Shrewsbury resident who practiced medicine in Worcester, and who was killed in action on the Western Front in July of 1918.
More information on the project can be found at www.shreww1.org.
