Soucy Family Memorial Bridge Historical Plaque

#SoucyFamilyMemorialBridge

 With the help and encouragement of Dick Moody and the Danvers Veterans' Council,  the Danvers Select Board recently approved the renaming of the Liberty Street Bridge in Danversport in honor of the Soucy Family - in recognition of the family's service, patriotism, and sacrifice during the WWll era.  

The aim of this fundraiser is to raise the funds necessary to install a permanent bronze marker that provides the historical significance of the Soucy Family Memorial Bridge to visitors. Placement of the plaque will be at the left corner of Pope's Landing, closest to the start of the bridge, and near where the decorative pier posts are located.

This fundraiser is the culmination of two years of collaboration with the Danvers Veterans' Council and the town, to honor the brothers (Armand, Rey, Joe, Roland, Roger and Philip) for their extraordinary service, their sister Rita for her service as a Danvers Air Raid Warden, and the entire family for their patriotism and sacrifice  during that time.

"This Liberty Street bridge is named in honor of the Soucy Family, in recognition of the family’s service, patriotism, and sacrifice during the WWII era.
 
A family of ten - six boys and two girls born to French Canadian immigrants – the Soucy siblings grew up in Danvers during the hard years of the Great Depression. Always proud of their hardy upbringing, they were self-proclaimed Danversport Rats.
 
Like many families during this time, their father struggled to find steady work, causing the family to be dependent on the boys to help the family stay afloat. Over time and through these struggles the siblings developed a great work ethic and sense of service to their family, their community, and their country.
 
When America was thrust into WWII, all six brothers would join the flood of patriotic young men entering the service to defend our freedom. Five of the brothers would join in the span of a year, and all six would serve concurrently, despite the hardship their absence presented for their struggling family physically, financially, and emotionally. All six brothers were 20 years old or younger when they went off to war. Their eldest sister, Rita, would also serve on the home-front as a Danvers Air Raid Warden, while their youngest sister, Lucy, remained in school.
 
Given that at least four of the brothers were sent overseas to Asia and the South Pacific and were involved in campaigns at places like Bougainville, Okinawa, and Iwo Jima, it was truly amazing they all returned home safely. Though just ordinary men who answered the call of duty, what was extraordinary is the collective service and sacrifice they gave. In a time before instantaneous communication, the anguish their family felt in their absence was palpable. They were left to wonder when there might be a dreaded knock at the door, or a telegram reporting news that no one wanted to hear – a fate far too common during this era.
 
That all six brothers came home safely and went on to raise their families in Danvers and surrounding communities is truly a miracle.
 
The Soucy brothers, while individually ordinary, were collectively extraordinary.

They were indeed a band of brothers, and six hometown heroes."

On behalf of the Soucy Family, l would like to express our profound gratitude for your support in this endeavor.

*Please note that any excess funds raised in conjunction with this fundraiser will be donated to the Danvers Veterans' Council and/or Operation Troop Support in support of our veterans.


https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/herald-citizen/2021/05/07/liberty-street-bridge-danvers-renamed-soucy-family/4931515001/ 


For more in depth information, you can find the original presentation from the Danvers Veterans' Day Program 2020 at this link (scroll to 51:20):    https://youtu.be/GRHfTXs1hGM