ATTLEBORO - The call that went out for old soldiers who were inadvertently left off the city's war memorials has been answered - again and again and again.
To date, 60 additional names have been confirmed for inclusion on the monuments dedicated to the veterans of World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam war.
Veterans Agent Carl Bradshaw said he expected to get a few names, maybe even a dozen, but not nearly the number that's come in.
And, more could be on the way as word about the effort reaches Attleboro natives who have moved to all corners of the nation.
Veterans or family members have called from as far away as Florida and Utah, Bradshaw said. And more calls come in every day. "It's going to be a pretty big rededication over there," he said of the ceremony scheduled for the day before Memorial Day at Veterans Memorial Common.
And, it's going to be an important day.
"Those 60 people or their families are emotional and excited about it. It's a big deal for them," Bradshaw said.
Each of the new names will be read during the ceremonies, he said.
It's the last time the city will add veterans to the monuments, which have been in place for 20 years.
Of the 60 people who will be added, 30 served during World War II, 20 served during Vietnam and 10 served at the time of the Korean War. No new names for World War I have emerged.
The deadline for submission of new names is April 11.
All told, the monuments contain 7,282 names: 1,526 from World War I, 3,211 from World War II, 1,111 from Korea and 1,434 from Vietnam.
Service personnel eligible for the World War I monument must have served at some point from April 6, 1917, through Nov. 11, 1918.
The World War II dates start at Dec. 7, 1941, and run through Dec. 31, 1946.
The Korean War dates begin on June 27, 1950, and run through Jan. 31, 1955.
To be included on the Vietnam War memorial a serviceman or woman had to have been in the military at some point from Aug. 5, 1964, through May 7, 1975.
For those who served on the ground in Vietnam, the starting date is Feb. 28, 1961.
A veteran must have served at least one day during the prescribed war period to be eligible. Service in a combat zone is not required.
Discharge papers, called "DD Form 214," are used to verify eligibility.
The soldier's home of record on the form must be Attleboro, Bradshaw said.
The veterans office can help former service personnel or family members obtain the discharge papers if they don't have them or lost them.
Send the document to Veterans Dept., 77 Park St, Attleboro, MA 02703 by April 11.
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