It was an honor for me recently to participate in the last dedication ceremony for Natick, Mass. residents who were killed in the Vietnam War. In a noon-time ceremony, the name of Eldon W. Tozer became a part of the “Natick 11” who gave their lives serving in Vietnam. A sign was unveiled at the corner of Marion St. and Lincoln Place, now called “Eldon W. Tozer Memorial Square.”
Though he is buried in Cullen’s Brook, Quebec and was a Canadian, Eldon joined the U.S. Navy while living with his sister and working in Natick. In a sense, he is an “adopted son” of the Natick community. It was moving and powerful for them to honor him in this way.
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| Jim Tucceri unveils the sign designating “Eldon W. Tozer Square.” |
Jim Tucceri, Eldon’s nephew, participated in the ceremony by unveiling the sign designating the new Eldon W. Tozer Square. The home where Jim grew up and where Eldon lived is just four houses down the street from where the sign is located. Resolutions passed by both the House and the State Senate of Massachusetts were presented to Jim (representing the Tozer family,) as was a letter from the Province of Quebec. Special thanks go to Paul Carew (Veterans Agent of Natick), Maureen Sullivan, (Co-coordinator of Natick Veterans Oral History Project), and Josh Ostroff (Natick Board of Selectman) for their leadership in organizing the event.
I read into the record a statement with a strong personal touch which was sent to me by the sister of Eldon Tozer, Frances Tozer Gregoire:
“I was nine years old when he was born. I thought he was sent from Heaven. He was born at home at night, and I heard his first cry.
I helped take care of him because I was the oldest girl. He was always quiet and very interested in nature. When he was young, he enjoyed watching bugs and spiders. He loved the little things in life.
During his late teen years, he lived with me, my husband and our children.
I don’t remember how old he was when he moved to Natick to be with my sister Mona. He worked in a baseball factory there before he joined the Navy. He never gave up his Canadian citizenship. I looked forward to his visits back home.”
It was cold and overcast the day of the ceremony, but I am sure that everyone present was warmed by the beauty and simplicity of the occasion. Local and state representatives were there, a Sargent-Major from a U.S. Army base was present, and an honor guard of veterans with a firing squad provided military honors. Eldon Tozer would have been pleased that he was being remembered by a caring community which has never forgotten him or the sacrifice that he made while serving with the Armed Forces of the United States of America.
Rolland Kidder
Rolland Kidder
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| Jim Tucceri, Eldon’s Nephew, and author. |
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| Jim Tucceri standing in front the house he grew up in, and where Eldon Tozer lived before he joined the U.S. Navy in 1957. |
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| Official letter from the Quebec Consul - read at the dedication by Josh Ostroff, Natick Board of Selectmen |
