Soldier honored at Walpole fountain rededication

(John Tlumacki/Globe Staff)

Andrew Bacevich and his wife, Nancy, paused for a moment after the ceremony honoring their fallen son, Army Lieutenant Andrew Bacevich.

By Matt Collette, Globe Correspondent

WALPOLE – As Andrew Bacevich, a Boston University professor, West Point graduate, and Vietnam War veteran, stood before about 200 residents at the rededication of the Bird Fountain on the Town Common this morning, he recalled when his fallen son, Army Lieutenant Andrew Bacevich, was brought back from Iraq last year. Thousands of people had lined the streets as the funeral procession for the 27-year-old passed through the center of town.

“We were profoundly moved by that gesture of respect,” said Bacevich. The family felt they had to give back to the community, he said, and donated $5,000. Lieutenant Bacevich was killed on May 13, 2007, Mother's Day, after an IED exploded in Iraq.

The town used the family's donation to renovate the C.S. Bird Fountain , which had been dry for decades. Dozens of Walpole residents donated their time, resources, and money to transform the public space, which had fallen into disrepair.

The Bird Fountain was a gift to the town in 1905 from Charles Sumner Bird, a prominent businessman, said town administrator Michael Boynton.

“These gifts – one of generosity and the other, the giving of one’s own life for the freedom of others – will be here at Town Common forever,” Boynton said. “To our community and our nation, there will always be the life of Andrew Bacevich.”

Mark Voner , the chief executive of Veterans Development Corp., a veteran-run construction company, coordinated much of the work done at the fountain and donated his company's time and services.

"I had no problem not knowing Andrew, because I do know Andrew," said Voner, a Marine who served in Lebanon in the 1980s. "I know him as a veteran and I know him as a son."

Voner told the Baceviches he hoped the rededicated fountain gave "the dignity and pride that your son truly deserves."

Speaking after a plaque honoring his son was unveiled, Bacevich was visibly moved by the completed fountain.

"Something extraordinary happened," he said. "Something dead has been brought back to life."

Edward Mulvehill, director of the Department of Veterans' Services in Norwood, brought his girlfriend's three sons with him to today's ceremony.

"These young men," Mulvehill said of the boys at his side, "are the future of America. It's important for them to know about Andrew Bacevich. We had a conversation in the car on the way over, and they get it."

Everett "Rocky" Rockwood, an 84 -year-old veteran who stormed Omaha Beach on D-Day, said he was glad to see so many people, especially young children, honoring Bacevich's service.

"It's nice that these young kids know what's going on," said Rockwood.

Tom Rockwood , a 53 -year-old member of the Chamber of Commerce, said he attended to see the culmination of so many community residents' work.

"The entire community came together and all put something into it," he said.

After Veterans Day, the fountain will be shut off and winterized, said Boynton.

"Come springtime, it will flow again," said Boynton. "And I assure you, it will flow forever."

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