Paul Monti of Raynham leads volunteers planting US Flags at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne

Bravo Zulu to Paul Monti and all the volunteers who made this effort to honor our Veterans.

Mass. Residents Plant Flags To Honor Veterans

By The Associated Press November 10, 2012                   

Jason Machado, of Fairhaven, Mass., walks among U.S. flags at the graves of deceased veterans at the National Cemetery in Bourne, Mass., Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012. (Gretchen Ertl/AP)

BOURNE, Mass. — Hundreds of relatives and well-wishers on Saturday honored the country’s military veterans by planting about 56,000 flags at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, transforming the green landscape into a sea of small fluttering red, white and blue banners.

Cemetery policies did not permit flags and flag holders on graves until last fall. The first flags were planted following pressure from Paul Monti of Raynham, whose son was killed by Taliban fighters in Afghanistan while trying to save a fellow soldier in 2006. Sgt. 1st Class Jared Monti was awarded the Medal of Honor for his valor and is buried in Bourne.

Paul Monti led a brief ceremony Saturday at the cemetery, where volunteers including Cub Scouts and Gold Star Mothers recited the pledge of allegiance, listened to a dedication and sang the national anthem.

They then fanned out and worked for about an hour, with some armed with screwdrivers to drill holes in the ground before planting the flags at the gravesites. Some lingered to search for the burial sites of relatives or loved ones.

Monti had help from political leaders in changing the cemetery’s policy, but the group he leads pays for the project through fundraisers. Volunteers will return to the cemetery next Sunday to remove the flags.

Monti has said the flags are a personal tribute to his son and fellow soldiers killed in service of their country.

The media driven Bullshite regarding swearing in Middleboro, MA

It's time to clear the air about the whole issue of swearing in my hometown of Middleboro, MA.

1. The anti-swearing rule has been on the books in Middleboro since 1968. 

Yes, read that again 1968. 

The statute was approved that year and was designed to make use of vulgar language similar to what they now call " hate speech" where police could summons someone to court for use of vulgar language in a manner that would be similar to verbal assault and battery.

2. The "new" aspect of this is the Chief of Police simply was trying to make a change so that his officers could issue a ticket for this type of issue instead of having to go through an arrest or summons.  The local ordinance would be still in effect with that one minor change.

3. The MEDIA have ginned this up into something it is NOT.  Like many issues, the MEDIA reported it wrong and the story has gone around the world and has attracted this low-rent activist to come to our fine village to put on a Media covered spectacle.

4. The citizens of Middleboro would like the reporters to work on producing stories about how our country is failing in education, falling behind on innovation, better ways to create good jobs for the citizens and leave stories like this where they belong, lining the bottom of a bird cage.

As a resident of Middleboro, I would like to tell the media types who will cover this huckster's demonstration that there are larger problems that need coverage and you should all focus your attention on our country's REAL problems ( The economy, unemployment, the Federal budget, failing politicians, lack of trust in ourleaders, etc. etc.) instead of the sideshow that will take place on Town Hall lawn today.

To the media idjits, I would ask how about you go back to being journalists for a change ??  It would be a much welcome change from the crappola I see passed off as news.


Town OK with activist’s cuss-fest demonstration
By Laurel J. Sweet  |   Monday, June 25, 2012 
|  http://www.bostonherald.com  | 

A tart-tongued activist hosting today’s “Free (Expletive) Speech Demonstration” at Middleboro Town Hall to protest the town’s $20 fine for cursing in public is inviting President Obama — in Boston today — to come on down, take up a bullhorn and join him in swearing up a blue streak ... for freedom!

“In fact, I invite all politicians who believe in freedom of speech to join us,” Adam Kokesh, a libertarian Internet talk show host, told the Herald in a phone interview from New Hampshire’s Porcupine 2012 Freedom Festival.

Town Moderator Wayne C. Perkins said TV trucks were parked outside town hall yesterday as interest in the swearing story persisted. He said Kokesh doesn’t need a permit so long as he and his supporters limit their outburst to dirty words and he has “no security concerns.”

“Let’s face it, people have a right to voice their opinion,” Perkins said. “If I see Secret Service here, then I’ll be concerned.”

Kokesh said the only exchange he plans to have with police is, “Have a nice (expletive) day.”

The “swear-in” is set for 12:30 to 1 p.m. — Kokesh said he wants to be foul-mouthed, but he doesn’t want to be disruptive — and he expects as many as 200 people to blaspheme about the 183-50 Middleboro Town Meeting vote earlier this month to establish a $20 fine for potty talk. The measure is under review for its constitutionality by the Attorney General’s Office.

“This is about standing up to a bully — maybe a bully in the form of 183 voters and a police department, but a bully nonetheless,” said Kokesh, 30, an Iraq war veteran and anti-war protester who stumped for Ron Paul’s campaign for president.

“I think it’s child abuse to tell your children that certain words have an emotional power that can cause sensitivity or hurt people’s feelings. Language is a tool. You can use it for good or bad. But a word should never be taboo,” said Kokesh, who was arrested in Washington, D.C., last year for taking part in a flash mob protesting the prohibition of dancing at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.

Selectman Stephen McKinnon, who said he’s been approached about the ban by reporters from ABC News and the BBC, said he doesn’t have much time for the ban himself. “We have bigger problems in our town than worrying about cussing.”

The Scott Brown effect & " All Politics is local "

Things are moving in the right direction politically here in the bluest of blue states. Voters are finally seeing that having one party dominate the political landscape is NOT best for the taxpayers or citizens.

Case in point, US Senator Scott Brown from Massachusetts. He was known in his district as a State Rep. and a State Senator but not much well known statewide. He put his message out to the voters and was elected to the Senate seat that Ted Kennedy had held for over 48 years. The voters were starting to see that they needed someone who would speak for them and not just lock step to what the Democratic majority wanted.

2nd case in point is much more local, as there was an election to fill a vacant state rep's seat in my home district. The seat had been held by a democrat for over 30 years. A son of a well known political family ran with backing from the Unions.

HE LOST even though he out spent his opponent, a not as well known citizen who decided that we needed someone who could make a difference. The Unions bet heavy that they would get their candidate in but lost as voters saw that having another rubber stamp in place for the Unions was not in the best interest of the district.

IF we can get the voters to see this with the nationwide elections next November, there is a better chance for our country to move forward. If we stay as it is now, with an ineffective President and a do-nothing Senate controlled by the Democrats, we will be stuck in place. We need to elect people who will work to really make a change, not just lecture us and call us "lazy" like the President does.

It can happen and it did happen here in Massachusetts. Let's make it happen for the rest of the country too. Former Speaker of the House Tip O'Neil said, " All Politics is local." He was right.

Lakeville Republican Keiko Orrall won after being outspent
State House News Service
Posted Nov 22, 2011

LAKEVILLE — Lakeville Republican Keiko Orrall bucked a campaign finance trend by defeating an opponent who outspent her during the run up to a special election in September.

Orrall’s win flipped the 12th Bristol seat from Democratic control for the first time in more than 30 years. In addition to New Bedford and Lakeville, the district includes parts Taunton, Middleboro and Freetown.

Campaign finance statistics released Monday show Middleboro Democrat Roger Brunelle, a commercial and industrial painter and 19-year member of a painters union, outspent Orrall, $39,727 to $26,179 and also benefited from $11,475 in independent expenditures from the Massachusetts Teachers Association and $6,301 from 1199 SEIU. Brunelle also received support from Lt. Gov. Tim Murray.

Orrall’s campaign contributions included $8,636 from the Marlborough Republican City Committee and $3,241 from the Republican State Committee.

Orrall won the seat given up by Stephen Canessa, a New Bedford Democrat who left to take a post at Southcoast Health Systems. Voters in Lakeville turned out in greater numbers than nearby New Bedford precincts, choosing Orrall by a three-to-one margin.

Two great upcoming CAR SHOWS in SE Massachusetts

As the Summer season winds down, I am glad to be back home to take in a few Car Shows in the Southeastern Massachusetts area. Car Shows are a great social experience and you get to meet many others who share interest in classic cars.

I'm going to show off my 1963 Willys Jeep which will be sporting a brand new set of military tires from Summit Racing, which offered them a good $ 20 cheaper than Coker Tires.

There are two car shows of note upcoming in SE Massachusetts in September -

Spindles Auto Club - 31st Annual Car Show and Swap Meet

Sunday, September 4, 2011 - (Labor Day Weekend)
Marshfield Fairgrounds
Marshfield, Massachusetts
Route 139 and 3A

For Info Call: 781-335-9754
All Makes and Models Welcome

Participant Gate Opens at 7 AM
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Spectators)

CARS & COPTERS - Sunday, September 18, 2011
Rain date: Friday, September 25, 2011
Plymouth Municipal Airport
Plymouth, Mass.

New England's most unique charity car show began in 2009 as a spin off of Boston Cars and Coffee. There are few events that can boast 750+ cars, there are even less that can do so and manage to get you up close to a dozen different helicopters. Cars and Copter's home can be found at The Plymouth Municipal Airport.

Since our event in 2009, Cars and Copters has become the largest event that Yuppieracing.net hosts.

With the help of Driven Perfection, Heliops LLC, Plymouth Municipal Airport management, B and L Productions, and The Beantown Sound, Yuppieracing.net presents an event opened to all makes and models of cars and motorcycles to benefit The Jimmy Fund in honor of Ricky Hoffman.

Ricky was our special guest in 2009 and sadly, he lost his battle to brain cancer shortly after. All proceeds from the show support Dr. Kieran's Pediatric Brain Tumor Research at Dana-Farber.

Contact: Rebecca Freedman
Phone: 617-632-5008
E-mail: Rebecca_Freedman@dfci.harvard.edu
Website: www.yuppieracing.net
Facebook: Cars and Copters

(Pictures below are from last year's Cars & Copters show)

"We are honoring the dead, and these people served their country and they deserve at least a little respect,” Paul Monti, Father of Jared Monti MOHR

SFC Jared Monti learned many lessons from his Father and it is no suprise that his Father took on a fight to honor his son and all others on Memorial Day at the Bourne National Veterans Cemetery....I salute your efforts sir....Glad to see you still fight for those who cannot do so.

Like Middleboro, Raynham, MA raises some dedicated citizen soldiers in Southeastern Massachusetts....always have and always will.


Medal of Honor recipient's father leads effort to place thousands of flags on vets' graves
May 24, 2011 04:38 PM
By Jenna Duncan, Boston Globe Correspondent

The first Veterans’ Day after his son was killed in Afghanistan, Paul Monti went to visit the site where his son, Sergeant First Class Jared Monti, is buried at Bourne National Veterans’ Cemetery, with plastic American flags in hand.

He noticed none of the graves had flags, even for the holiday. When Monti inquired, he learned flags were restricted from the grounds because they got in the way of maintenance.

“They didn’t allow flags on individual graves, and that made me quite upset,” he said.

The Raynham man has spent the four years since trying to reverse this rule, and now, this Memorial Day, he and a group of volunteers will place 56,000 flags on the graves at the cemetery, he said.

Somewhere between 1,000 and 2,000 people will join Monti Saturday to place the flags, he said.

“I think I’ll probably be elated once I see it done, but in a somber sort of way,” he said.

"We are honoring the dead, and these people served their country and they deserve at least a little respect,” he said.

Volunteers are welcome to attend, or can donate money to the SFC Jared C. Monti Memorial Scholarship Fund to cover the cost of the flags.

Jared Monti was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism when his patrol was attacked in Nuristan Province, Afghanistan in 2006.

Female Soldier From Middleboro, MA Awarded Purple Heart

(Enclosed picture is of the Town of Middleboro, MA Veterans Park, built by the Veterans of Middleboro, MA)

It is no surprise that MIDDLEBORO, MA produces men & women who go on to serve in our military with distinction. Middleboro has produced TWO Medal of Honor recipients, Patrick Regan from WWI and HM3 Wayne Caron, Navy Medic from the Vietnam War.

The history of Middleboro shows that this farm community in the Southeastern Massachusetts also holds the distinction of being home to a Revolutionary War Hero, Deborah Sampson who served disguised as a man for a few years until gravely wounded on the field of battle.

BRAVO ZULU to our own, Deidra Neeley - YOU make all of Middleboro proud for your dedication to country and selfless service.

Female Soldier From Middleboro Awarded Purple Heart
May 21, 2011 2:32 PM
WBZ NewsRadio 1030′s Doug Cope reports

MIDDLEBORO (CBS) – A Middleboro servicewoman received a huge honor on Saturday.

Deidra Neeley became the first female ever in Massachusetts to receive a Purple Heart.

Neeley was a combat medic when she was wounded in on August 27, 2009 in Afghanistan.

“It’s an honor. Of all the firsts I could have done, I definitely wasn’t choosing to get injured,” said Neeley.

Both Neeley and her husband remain on active duty and work at Walter Reed Hospital Washington, DC.

Middleboro Jones & family take a ride on the Edaville Railroad to see the Christmas Festival of Lights in Carver, MA

For many of us who have been raised all our lives in Southeastern New England, no Christmas season would be complete without a trip to Edaville Railroad. It has been a Christmas tradition for a generation or more.

The Edaville Railroad is a heritage railroad in South Carver, Massachusetts.

Opened in 1947, the Edaville Railroad is generally regarded as one of the oldest heritage railroads in the United States.

The Edaville Railroad is a 2 ft (610 mm) narrow gauge line that operates excursion trains for tourists. It was built by the late Ellis D. Atwood (initials E.D.A, for which EDAVILLE is named) on his cranberry plantation at the beginning of Cape Cod.

Atwood purchased two locomotives and most of the passenger and freight cars when the Bridgton and Saco River Railroad was dismantled in 1941. After World War II he acquired two former Monson Railroad locomotives and some surviving cars from the defunct Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes Railroad in Maine. This equipment ran on two-foot narrow gauge tracks, as opposed to the more common three-foot narrow gauge in the western United States.

In 2005, much of the original 5½ mile mainline was taken up, leaving the present mainline with an approximately 2 mile loop including about half of the line around the old reservoir.

Edaville USA, as it is now known, is a small theme park with cranberry harvesting and railroading as its two main themes. It is a well-known family attraction throughout New England. Edaville USA's Holiday Festival of Light is still a major attraction during the winter seasons with festival decorations and attractions along with tons and tons of Christmas lights.

Middleboro Jones along with the All-Girl Spending Team (Mom & Daughter) went to opening weekend where admittance for Veterans was FREE and Military families were each 1/2 price. A nice way they show that Veterans matter.

A cool but wonderful evening reliving a New England tradition of riding through the cranberry bogs to see the Christmas festival of lights.