Natick Report

Since 2020: More than you really want to know about Natick, Mass.

Natick observes Pearl Harbor Day

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Keynote speaker Bill Callahan, a retired U.S. Army officer, at the town’s annual Pearl Harbor Day observances on Dec. 7 at the Morse Institute Library.
Keynote speaker Bill Callahan, retired U.S. Army officer (photo by Maureen L. Sullivan)

 
On Sunday, Dec. 7, Natick held its annual observances of Pearl Harbor Day in the Morse Institute Library.

About 40 people attended the event, which marks the anniversary of the Japanese attack of the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet in Hawaii. The attack led to the United States entering World War II.

Keynote speaker Bill Callahan, a retired U.S. Army officer, touched on the sacrifices made by military personnel and first responders on that day. That included several members of Honolulu’s Fire Department who were killed or wounded during the attack. For their actions, they were awarded the Purple Heart–the only civilian firefighters so honored.

This Dec. 7 marked Paul Carew’s final official ceremony as the town’s Veterans Services Officer (VSO). He plans to retire within the next few months; the town is conducting a search for his successor.

Paul Carew presides over his final Pearl Harbor Day observance as the town’s Veterans Services officer on Dec. 7 at the Morse Institute Library.
Veterans Services officer Paul Carew (photo by Maureen L. Sullivan)

 
“It’s been a great ride,” said Carew, who has been VSO since 2010. He said he will continue to assist with veterans’ ceremonies, including wreath-laying at the town’s cemeteries and Pearl Harbor Day.

The event was co-sponsored by the VSO, the library, the Natick Veterans Oral History Project and the Charles River Rotary, which provided refreshments.
 

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Change of command coming at Natick Soldier Systems Center

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The U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center in Natick will conduct a change of command ceremony at 10 a.m., July 31. The public can watch the ceremony online.

Incoming commanding general Brig. Gen. George C. Hackler arrives from the U. S. Army Operational Test Command, West Fort Cavazos, Texas, where he served as commanding general. Outgoing commanding general Brig. Gen. David C. Trybula has served in Natick since June, 2021, when he took over as Deputy Commanding General U.S. Army Combat Capabilities, Development Command (DEVCOM) and Senior Command of the center.

The natick army labs soldier systems centermission is “One Team advancing innovative technology for Today and Tomorrow.”

The Center held an open house in June.

 

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Brown School in Natick was named for brothers killed during WW2—their descendants tell more

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Descendants of Air Force Sgt. Harold B. Brown and Navy EM 3/C (Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class) Herbert M. Brown, Jr.—West Natick residents, brothers, and soldiers killed in action during World War II, and for whom Brown Elementary School was named—visited the the school last week to share some family history and to see the building for the first time for themselves.

Harold and Herbert were part of a large and patriotic clan of five siblings, all of whom attended Natick public schools. Harold and Herbert did not make it home after the war, however two brothers who served their country did. A patriotic force in her own right, the only sister in the family served stateside in a non-combat capacity in the WAVES program (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service).

Brown School, Natick
From left: Michael Brown; Meredith Brown; James Brown; and Steven Brown. Their uncles Herbert and Harold Brown, for whom Brown School was named, were killed in action during World War II. “We always wondered what the family extension could have been if our uncles hadn’t been lost during the war,” Michael mused.

Family members acknowledge they are short on details about their uncles’ wartime activities. “We don’t have a lot of exact information because our father [one of Harold and Herbert’s surviving brothers] would never talk about it all that much. We all knew growing up that my dad had lost the two younger brothers. I asked Nana about it one time. She ended up crying,” Steven said.

No surprise, given that this double gold star mother (an American mother who lost a child in service of the United States Armed Forces) in 1942 lost two sons in a 30-day period.

What the four visitors to the school do know about their uncles’ military deaths is this. Both were killed in action. Herbert, an Air Force pilot, was shot down over the Pacific Ocean. Harold was onboard a Navy destroyer, the USS Gwinn, when it was torpedoed. Although the ship was hit, it did not sink. But many, including Harold, lost their lives due to the raid.

Brown School, Natick
Plaque in the lobby of Brown Elementary School.

After her sons died, “Our grandmother set up the naming of Brown for the boys,” Meredith said. The school was built in 1950.

Harold and Herbert are buried in Dell Cemetery, located on Pond St.

After the descendants told their story, Brown School Principal Aidan McCann brought them on a tour of the school.

Learn more about the history of Brown School here.

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