Coast Guardsmen William Cashman, Edward Stark and Frank Griswold died in a raging gale after rescuing passengers and crew from a passenger liner that ran aground off Manomet Point, Mass. on a nasty March day in 1928.
Volunteers spruce up the memorial site on 4/17/10. Click on image for more clean-up photos
Until just recently, a memorial that was built by appreciative local residents a few months after their sacrifice was in a sad, forlorn state. Trampled sod, an empty liquor bottle, cigarette butts and other litter, a tattered tiny flag and an ugly, government-issue fence keep depressing company to a fine, proud stone monument that marks the heroics of those young Manomet Coast Guardsmen.
We can do better than this.
We must do better than this.
And now, we are doing better than this.
In recent weeks, we have made encouraging progress in our efforts, eight decades later, to honor not only the three men who died, but also those brave civilians who set out from shore to try and rescue the eight Coast Guardsmen who were tossed into the churning, deathly cold sea a quarter-mile from shore. The eight were returning in a surfboat after assisting the SS Robert E. Lee, which had gone aground on the treacherous Mary Ann Rocks about a mile off the Point, with 276 passengers and crew aboard, the night before.
Our progress to date:
- On April 17, a crew of Coast Guardsmen led by Aaron Wallace spruced up the memorial site. Workers on a raw, drizzly Saturday morning raked and trimmed the grass, edged and added stone around the monument; power-washed the monument and its nearby fence; and added bronze Coast Guard medallions with flags.
- State, federal, local and Coast Guard officials have been working in harmony on our request to help determine who will take ownership of the memorial site going forward and maintain it. Expect some formal word on that in the near term.
- Signs are very encouraging, thanks to state Sen. President Therese Murray and state Rep. Vinny deMacedo, that a formal ceremony will be held at the State House, and a proclamation issued, honoring the three heroes who died.
- Work continues on plans for possible further improvements at the memorial site, with new amenities such as a flagpole, lighting and a nice fence.
- The community has responded! Our Facebook site now has more than 200 fans and we gain more each day.
Video overview of the memorial and surrounding area
The goals
Here is what we’ve set out to accomplish, with help from you, your families, friends and neighbors:
From left: Cashman, Griswold, Stark
- Have the three guardsmen formally declared as “heroes” by the government and/or military, and their memories and families afforded whatever honors go along with that.
- Transform the memorial site back to its original splendor – and then some – into something of which the community can be even more proud. Possibilities include nicely manicured grass, a granite and wrought iron fence, a few flowers or shrubs, a flagpole and other appropriate amenities. And be sure it is maintained in perpetuity.
Help get them onboard
In addition to your support, we need the help and support of officials from the town, state, Coast Guard and Congress. Please contact them and encourage them to endorse and assist in our efforts.
Inscription. (Click to enlarge image).
U.S. Rep. Bill Delahunt | 617-770-3700 | fax: 617-770-2984 |Â send email
Rear Admiral Joseph L. Nimmich, USCG | 1-800-848-3942 | 408 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, MA 02110 |send email
Selectman Chairman Richard J. Quintal, Jr. | (508)747-1620 X106 | Fax: Â 508-830-4062Â | Â email:Â TownManager-Selectmen@townhall.plymouth.ma.us
State Sen. President Therese Murray | (508) 746-9332 | fax: (617) 248-3840Â | email:Â Therese.Murray@state.ma.us
State Rep. Vinny deMacedo | 508-224-7572 | fax: 617-722-2390 |Â email:Â Rep.VinnyDemacedo@hou.state.ma.us
We’ll keep this site updated with news and developments. And we encourage you to declare your support in our forum; visit us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
And please visit the other sections of the site for some interesting history, historic and modern-day pictures, and a few more insights into why we’re doing this.
