Above: John Wilson and Mark Fallon at the unveiling of the updated All Wars Memorial at last fall’s Veterans Day ceremony. (from Fallon’s blog with permission)
As I previously posted, last week our town lost one of its great, longtime public servants – John Wilson. Resident Mark Fallon, a fellow veteran, shared on his blog some memories of Wilson. They included Wilson’s influence on him and his thoughts on how the public can honor him.
Fallon’s post included examples of the services Wilson performed and the example he set. He summed up:
For the rest of us, there’s another way to honor John, and the men and women in our communities like John. We can recognize that we do “have some time”, and then find a way to volunteer. To answer the call to service.
Here is an excerpt from Fallon’s post, followed by a link to the rest:
Service is the Reward
“I don’t want a —– thing!” – John Wilson
My plan was simply to march in the parade. It was the first Memorial Day after my father died. The local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and American Legion posts invited all veterans to be part of the town parade. It would be a wonderful way to honor my father and be with other veterans on a tough day. (more)
We indeed lost a great man. We use the term “GREAT” way to often in todays world. John earned that distinction. Service to Family – To Country – To Community. I had the honor and privilege to work with John in our roles with the Veterans. I will miss our time together – I will miss standing alongside him. I know that he is at peace – but I still have a tough time grasping that this man is no longer with us.
We have bridges and streets named after southboro veterans who are no longer with us , It would be truly fitting for the town to rename the golf course after him, He did so much for southboro and loved his game of golf
I agree we should honor John. I would like to suggest that instead of the Golf Course, we name the Trottier Auditorium in his honor. This would reflect his years of service as our Moderator.
Beth – thank you for sharing. John provided an example for all of us to follow.
About 10 years ago it was John, along with two other Town icons, who persuaded me and provided me with the energy to enter Town politics. In the following decade, John exhibited and taught me all that is good about our Town, our Country, and commitment to others. John was instrumental in the negotiations in saving our golf course, and in many meetings he exemplified Town character and integrity. But although John loved golf, it was clear to me that his service to our Country exceeded his thirst for that pastime. John’s devotion to veterans, his pride in marching on Memorial and Veterans Days, his surgical precision in placing flags on fallen veterans’ graves, causes me to opine that our Town Cemetery would be the finest location to honor such a great man. If there is a heaven to which good men and women are taken, than surely John is there and will greet us with his unique smile when we arrive. And if there is not, then still he lives forever in his children, and their children, and in each succeeding generation, and in each of us who had the honor and privilege of really knowing him. To say he will be missed does not capture the enormity of the loss.
Thank goodness that John, along with two other Town cons persuaded you to entre town politics. Part of his legacy is leaving such ass ets in place and John was a great friend to all. As for memoralizing his memory, the Trottier Auditoriunm is such a good idea. He was the best moderator the town has ever had. Thank you.