Former Acton Vet Buried at Woodlawn

Oscar Kress was laid to rest on Wednesday, May 23, in Woodlawn Cemetery. After a funeral Mass at in Acton, the funeral procession passed by the Acton Minute Men at the new on the green in the center.  The hearse paused and the Minute Men fired a volley in Oscar’s honor. We proceeded on to the cemetery where a military honor guard was waiting. After some brief remarks by Father Walter, the honor guard fired 3 volleys from each of the 3 riflemen. They then folded the flag from Oscar’s coffin in the traditional Army ceremony that is so very impressive to watch. Precision, respect, and care as they presented the flag to Lucille, Oscar’s widow, along with the spent cartridges from the rifles.

Oscar was born in Germany and came to America as a young boy. He served honorably in the US Army during World War II in the European Theatre, including campaigns in North Africa, Anzio, Rome, Southern France, and Germany.  He married Lucille and they settled in New Mexico. They moved to Acton in 1960. He served as a member of Edwards-Quimby American Legion Post #284 in Acton for many years.

Oscar was one of the original founders and supporters of the town center American Legion Monument Project. Oscar and I, along with many fellow Legionnaires, attempted many times to bring the monument project to fruition, but ran into one difficulty after another and it never really got off the ground.  We never lost hope and tried many different angles. Last year, and led the charge to bring the project to the next phase. It was a perfect storm of sorts, bringing a donated piece of pink granite, the services of , support from the town and funds from the American Legion special fund treasury that we had created over the past decade. Most of the funds were from the profits of our annual Fried Dough stand at . Our post donated $4,600 to the town to help defray the cost of the monument.

Many townspeople may have donated to the American Legion landscape fund-raising drive. We had donation cans out at many merchants throughout Acton and Concord. I am especially thankful to all the merchants who helped by allowing our donation cans to take up their checkout counter space. In two months we collected over $1000 that we donated to the town for maintenance of the monument. We could not have done it without the very kind donation of everyone who dropped in a quarter, dollar, and even a few $10 bills. I’d like to offer a special mention to , our #1 location for donations and to for their very generous donation to our campaign.

While it was unveiled to the public on Veterans Day eight months ago, Oscar’s failing health prevented him from seeing the unveiling. Most of the American Legion was there to witness it for him. Wednesday was Oscar’s first chance to witness the monument… and it honored him as he passed by for the final time. It was another perfect storm of events. donated the beautiful surrounding garden work that frames the monument so majestically.  Since Lenox donated the plants and labor, we devoted our entire landscape budget to the town to cover ongoing maintenance of the monument area.

As you come to the town center on Monday to celebrate the lives of all who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation, please take a moment to stand by the monument and say a prayer for Oscar.  I know he’ll be there watching.