BRIDGTON — Molly Ockett Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, completed phase 2 of the cleaning of the Bridgton Veterans Memorial. Located at the corner of Main and Depot Streets, the memorial honors the selfless sacrifices of Bridgton Veterans. Chapter volunteers, who have been trained in the proper techniques and methods to clean monuments and gravestones, treated and cleaned the memorial again this year using D/2 Biological Solution, a biodegradable liquid that removes stains from mold, algae, mildew, lichens, and air pollutants on the stones.
Chapter Regent Nancy Coshow shares, “It is so rewarding to tend the monument and honor Bridgton veterans. Molly Ockett Chapter, NSDAR is pleased to be able to serve the Bridgton Community with this ongoing project.” In addition to cleaning the Veterans Memorial, members of Molly Ockett Chapter will be once again cleaning gravestones at the Middle Ridge Cemetery in Bridgton this spring and summer. D/2 does take time to work, so keep checking back to see the progress and end result of the cleaning!
Now for the Patriot of the Month! Joseph Brocklebank was born on October 21, 1759, in Rowley, MA, the son of Nathan. He is credited with 14 months service as a private in several companies, including at West Point, where, in the words of Jonathan Lambert, a member of the same company, testifying on behalf of Joseph’s service, states, “Genl Arnold (of notorious memory) so contrived to distribute the men under his command [at West Point], remote from each other, (some casting wood, some to guarding stores….) that they had but little intercourse with each other”.
Joseph married Mary Ellsworth in Rowley on April 30, 1784. He lived in South Bridgton, helped establish the first church in Bridgton, and was a resident previous to the incorporation. He famously planted an elm tree near his home, which, by 1870, was 15 feet, 4 inches in circumference and 101′ in height and was known as “The Brocklebank Elm.” He died on Christmas Day, 1838, and is interred at High Street Cemetery. The Molly Ockett Chapter, NSDAR, honors Joseph Brocklebank’s service and sacrifice.
The DAR encourages and supports projects and service opportunities highlighting historic preservation, education, and patriotism in unique, local, and impactful ways. Last year, the Molly Ockett Chapter completed more than 1000 hours of Service to America. If you would like more information about today’s DAR, visit www.dar.org or contact the Molly Ockett Chapter at [email protected].