It’s located in a place virtually every Rye resident has been, yet it somehow goes completely unnoticed.
The large flagpole near the pavilion at Rye Recreation is something most people from Rye have walked by or at least seen from afar. Unbeknownst to many is the fact that the flagpole is a memorial originally dedicated in 1966 to one of Rye’s bravest war veterans.
John F. Shaughnessy Jr. lived at 39 Grandview Avenue and graduated from Rye High School in 1950. He served in the Vietnam War as a captain for the United States Air Force. Shaughnessy Jr. made the ultimate sacrifice and died when his plane was shot down on February 3, 1963. He was 30 years old. Read about his entire story.
Each Memorial Day following the annual parade and ceremony, members from American Legion Post 128 give Shaughnessy Jr. his due respect. Commander Frederick de Barros and Finance Officer and Adjutant Tim Moynihan highlighted Shaughnessy Jr.’s story during a brief ceremony.
Watch the video:
