Highway named for fighting Emilio brothers
By Mike LaBella [email protected]
HAVERHILL At a ceremony in City Hall recently, MassHighway officially named a stretch of Route 110 in Haverhill the "Emilio Brothers Memorial Highway" in honor of former longtime state Rep. Frank Emilio's older brothers, who were war heroes.
Frank Emilio, who was just a kid when his brothers went off to war, was there with friends and family members to talk about what has been called The Greatest Generation, and how his brothers were part of it.
"The people who served during World War II were born during the depression, and I refer to my brothers as members of the 'Greatest Generation,' which is the title of a book I've read a number of times and which defines that generation," Frank Emilio said, reflecting on the ceremony. "My nephew came up with the idea as throughout the state they honor veterans in one way or another. My brothers would have been honored by this."
The state named a section of Route 110, from the Methuen town line to the end of the state highway at the junction of River Street and Maxwell Street, in honor of Sgt. Bennie Emilio of 172nd Infantry Regiment who spent 27 months in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater during World War II; Technician 5th Grade Romeo Emilio, who served in World War II during the occupation of Germany; Private 1st Class Alfred Emilio who served in World War II during the occupation of Germany; and Pvt. Orazio Emilio of Company G, 30th Infantry, 3rd Division who served in World War II and was awarded five battle stars for service in North Africa, Sicily, Salerno, Anzio and Southern France and was killed in action during house-to-house fighting in Southern France on Aug. 16, 1944.
Frank Emilio attended the ceremony with his wife Sheila, his sister Anna Accardi, his sister-in-law Dorothy Emilio, who is the widow of Alfred Emilio, and a nephew, Rick Wilson, who works for MassHighway and is a grandson of Romeo Emilio.
Also attending the event were Patty Leavenworth, District 4 director for MassHighway, city officials, including Mayor James Fiorentini as well as state Sen. Steven Baddour and state Rep. Brian Dempsey, who were part of Haverhill's legislative team that had introduced legislation to name the highway after the Emilio brothers.
"After the family approached Senator Baddour and I with their idea for this memorial, we were supportive due to the compelling story of the four Emilio Brothers serving in World War II with one, Orazio Emilio, sacrificing his life in combat," said Dempsey.
Frank Emilio was just 7 years old when his brothers were drafted into the Army.
Italian immigrants Frank and Ida Emilio had five sons and four daughters, and at the time lived at 28 Hall St., which is off River Street.
"During the war, that was an Italian neighborhood and many Italians there were drafted," said Emilio, who served on Haverhill's City Council for six years, was elected as state representative in 1981 and served five, two-year terms. In 1990 he was unseated by Dempsey, who had visited him at the Statehouse when he was a senior at Haverhill High.
Frank Emilio said his brother Bennie was a professional boxer in the 1930s, and a good athlete who never got the opportunity to complete high school or go on to college.
"He fought in the Pacific Campaign, and when he returned he ran the old Roma Cafe, which was off Washington Street," he said.
Orazio Emilio was drafted in 1942. It was the last Frank Emilio ever saw of his brother.
"I visited his grave in France around 10 years ago," Frank Emilio said. "I get emotional just thinking about it."
When Romeo Emilio returned from war, he opened a small market on the corner of Beach and River streets, then went on to serve in the Department of Corrections with the Sheriff's Dept.
Frank Emilio said his brother Alfred was considered by many to be the greatest Haverhill High School athlete of his time (Class of 1945) and was a three-sport all scholastic playing football, basketball and baseball. When he returned from war, he worked at Western Electric, then AT&T, then Lucent Technologies until his retirement.
The legislation was initially introduced by state Rep. Brian Dempsey and was co-sponsored by state Reps. Barbara L'Italien, Harriett Stanley and state Sen. Steven Baddour. House Bill 3197 went before the joint committee on transportation, chaired by Baddour, in January of 2009 and subsequently was passed by the house and senate, then signed into law this year by Gov. Deval Patrick.
"At a time when young men and women were asked to sacrifice their youth, the Emilio Brothers were committed to their duty, honor and country," Baddour said. "Three of the four brothers were able to return to their homes, live their lives, and raise their children with the respect and dignity known only to those who have served the call of duty. The dedication of the Emilio Brothers Memorial Highway is a small tribute to a Haverhill family that epitomizes what we know as The Greatest Generation."
MassHighway honoreD
Sgt. Bennie Emilio of 172nd Infantry Regiment who spent 27 months in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater during World War II.
Technician 5th Grade Romeo Emilio, who served in World War II during the occupation of Germany.
Pvt. 1st Class Alfred Emilio who served in World War II during the occupation of Germany.
Pvt. Orazio Emilio of Company G, 30th Infantry, 3rd Division who served in World War II and was awarded five battle stars for service in North Africa, Sicily, Salerno, Anzio and Southern France and was killed in action during house to house fighting in Southern France on Aug. 16, 1944.
By Mike LaBella [email protected]
HAVERHILL At a ceremony in City Hall recently, MassHighway officially named a stretch of Route 110 in Haverhill the "Emilio Brothers Memorial Highway" in honor of former longtime state Rep. Frank Emilio's older brothers, who were war heroes.
Frank Emilio, who was just a kid when his brothers went off to war, was there with friends and family members to talk about what has been called The Greatest Generation, and how his brothers were part of it.
"The people who served during World War II were born during the depression, and I refer to my brothers as members of the 'Greatest Generation,' which is the title of a book I've read a number of times and which defines that generation," Frank Emilio said, reflecting on the ceremony. "My nephew came up with the idea as throughout the state they honor veterans in one way or another. My brothers would have been honored by this."
The state named a section of Route 110, from the Methuen town line to the end of the state highway at the junction of River Street and Maxwell Street, in honor of Sgt. Bennie Emilio of 172nd Infantry Regiment who spent 27 months in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater during World War II; Technician 5th Grade Romeo Emilio, who served in World War II during the occupation of Germany; Private 1st Class Alfred Emilio who served in World War II during the occupation of Germany; and Pvt. Orazio Emilio of Company G, 30th Infantry, 3rd Division who served in World War II and was awarded five battle stars for service in North Africa, Sicily, Salerno, Anzio and Southern France and was killed in action during house-to-house fighting in Southern France on Aug. 16, 1944.
Frank Emilio attended the ceremony with his wife Sheila, his sister Anna Accardi, his sister-in-law Dorothy Emilio, who is the widow of Alfred Emilio, and a nephew, Rick Wilson, who works for MassHighway and is a grandson of Romeo Emilio.
Also attending the event were Patty Leavenworth, District 4 director for MassHighway, city officials, including Mayor James Fiorentini as well as state Sen. Steven Baddour and state Rep. Brian Dempsey, who were part of Haverhill's legislative team that had introduced legislation to name the highway after the Emilio brothers.
"After the family approached Senator Baddour and I with their idea for this memorial, we were supportive due to the compelling story of the four Emilio Brothers serving in World War II with one, Orazio Emilio, sacrificing his life in combat," said Dempsey.
Frank Emilio was just 7 years old when his brothers were drafted into the Army.
Italian immigrants Frank and Ida Emilio had five sons and four daughters, and at the time lived at 28 Hall St., which is off River Street.
"During the war, that was an Italian neighborhood and many Italians there were drafted," said Emilio, who served on Haverhill's City Council for six years, was elected as state representative in 1981 and served five, two-year terms. In 1990 he was unseated by Dempsey, who had visited him at the Statehouse when he was a senior at Haverhill High.
Frank Emilio said his brother Bennie was a professional boxer in the 1930s, and a good athlete who never got the opportunity to complete high school or go on to college.
"He fought in the Pacific Campaign, and when he returned he ran the old Roma Cafe, which was off Washington Street," he said.
Orazio Emilio was drafted in 1942. It was the last Frank Emilio ever saw of his brother.
"I visited his grave in France around 10 years ago," Frank Emilio said. "I get emotional just thinking about it."
When Romeo Emilio returned from war, he opened a small market on the corner of Beach and River streets, then went on to serve in the Department of Corrections with the Sheriff's Dept.
Frank Emilio said his brother Alfred was considered by many to be the greatest Haverhill High School athlete of his time (Class of 1945) and was a three-sport all scholastic playing football, basketball and baseball. When he returned from war, he worked at Western Electric, then AT&T, then Lucent Technologies until his retirement.
The legislation was initially introduced by state Rep. Brian Dempsey and was co-sponsored by state Reps. Barbara L'Italien, Harriett Stanley and state Sen. Steven Baddour. House Bill 3197 went before the joint committee on transportation, chaired by Baddour, in January of 2009 and subsequently was passed by the house and senate, then signed into law this year by Gov. Deval Patrick.
"At a time when young men and women were asked to sacrifice their youth, the Emilio Brothers were committed to their duty, honor and country," Baddour said. "Three of the four brothers were able to return to their homes, live their lives, and raise their children with the respect and dignity known only to those who have served the call of duty. The dedication of the Emilio Brothers Memorial Highway is a small tribute to a Haverhill family that epitomizes what we know as The Greatest Generation."
MassHighway honoreD
Sgt. Bennie Emilio of 172nd Infantry Regiment who spent 27 months in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater during World War II.
Technician 5th Grade Romeo Emilio, who served in World War II during the occupation of Germany.
Pvt. 1st Class Alfred Emilio who served in World War II during the occupation of Germany.
Pvt. Orazio Emilio of Company G, 30th Infantry, 3rd Division who served in World War II and was awarded five battle stars for service in North Africa, Sicily, Salerno, Anzio and Southern France and was killed in action during house to house fighting in Southern France on Aug. 16, 1944.
Highway named for fighting Emilio brothers
By Mike LaBella [email protected]
HAVERHILL At a ceremony in City Hall recently, MassHighway officially named a stretch of Route 110 in Haverhill the "Emilio Brothers Memorial Highway" in honor of former longtime state Rep. Frank Emilio's older brothers, who were war heroes.
Frank Emilio, who was just a kid when his brothers went off to war, was there with friends and family members to talk about what has been called The Greatest Generation, and how his brothers were part of it.
"The people who served during World War II were born during the depression, and I refer to my brothers as members of the 'Greatest Generation,' which is the title of a book I've read a number of times and which defines that generation," Frank Emilio said, reflecting on the ceremony. "My nephew came up with the idea as throughout the state they honor veterans in one way or another. My brothers would have been honored by this."
The state named a section of Route 110, from the Methuen town line to the end of the state highway at the junction of River Street and Maxwell Street, in honor of Sgt. Bennie Emilio of 172nd Infantry Regiment who spent 27 months in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater during World War II; Technician 5th Grade Romeo Emilio, who served in World War II during the occupation of Germany; Private 1st Class Alfred Emilio who served in World War II during the occupation of Germany; and Pvt. Orazio Emilio of Company G, 30th Infantry, 3rd Division who served in World War II and was awarded five battle stars for service in North Africa, Sicily, Salerno, Anzio and Southern France and was killed in action during house-to-house fighting in Southern France on Aug. 16, 1944.
Frank Emilio attended the ceremony with his wife Sheila, his sister Anna Accardi, his sister-in-law Dorothy Emilio, who is the widow of Alfred Emilio, and a nephew, Rick Wilson, who works for MassHighway and is a grandson of Romeo Emilio.
Also attending the event were Patty Leavenworth, District 4 director for MassHighway, city officials, including Mayor James Fiorentini as well as state Sen. Steven Baddour and state Rep. Brian Dempsey, who were part of Haverhill's legislative team that had introduced legislation to name the highway after the Emilio brothers.
"After the family approached Senator Baddour and I with their idea for this memorial, we were supportive due to the compelling story of the four Emilio Brothers serving in World War II with one, Orazio Emilio, sacrificing his life in combat," said Dempsey.
Frank Emilio was just 7 years old when his brothers were drafted into the Army.
Italian immigrants Frank and Ida Emilio had five sons and four daughters, and at the time lived at 28 Hall St., which is off River Street.
"During the war, that was an Italian neighborhood and many Italians there were drafted," said Emilio, who served on Haverhill's City Council for six years, was elected as state representative in 1981 and served five, two-year terms. In 1990 he was unseated by Dempsey, who had visited him at the Statehouse when he was a senior at Haverhill High.
Frank Emilio said his brother Bennie was a professional boxer in the 1930s, and a good athlete who never got the opportunity to complete high school or go on to college.
"He fought in the Pacific Campaign, and when he returned he ran the old Roma Cafe, which was off Washington Street," he said.
Orazio Emilio was drafted in 1942. It was the last Frank Emilio ever saw of his brother.
"I visited his grave in France around 10 years ago," Frank Emilio said. "I get emotional just thinking about it."
When Romeo Emilio returned from war, he opened a small market on the corner of Beach and River streets, then went on to serve in the Department of Corrections with the Sheriff's Dept.
Frank Emilio said his brother Alfred was considered by many to be the greatest Haverhill High School athlete of his time (Class of 1945) and was a three-sport all scholastic playing football, basketball and baseball. When he returned from war, he worked at Western Electric, then AT&T, then Lucent Technologies until his retirement.
The legislation was initially introduced by state Rep. Brian Dempsey and was co-sponsored by state Reps. Barbara L'Italien, Harriett Stanley and state Sen. Steven Baddour. House Bill 3197 went before the joint committee on transportation, chaired by Baddour, in January of 2009 and subsequently was passed by the house and senate, then signed into law this year by Gov. Deval Patrick.
"At a time when young men and women were asked to sacrifice their youth, the Emilio Brothers were committed to their duty, honor and country," Baddour said. "Three of the four brothers were able to return to their homes, live their lives, and raise their children with the respect and dignity known only to those who have served the call of duty. The dedication of the Emilio Brothers Memorial Highway is a small tribute to a Haverhill family that epitomizes what we know as The Greatest Generation."
MassHighway honoreD
Sgt. Bennie Emilio of 172nd Infantry Regiment who spent 27 months in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater during World War II.
Technician 5th Grade Romeo Emilio, who served in World War II during the occupation of Germany.
Pvt. 1st Class Alfred Emilio who served in World War II during the occupation of Germany.
Pvt. Orazio Emilio of Company G, 30th Infantry, 3rd Division who served in World War II and was awarded five battle stars for service in North Africa, Sicily, Salerno, Anzio and Southern France and was killed in action during house to house fighting in Southern France on Aug. 16, 1944.
By Mike LaBella [email protected]
HAVERHILL At a ceremony in City Hall recently, MassHighway officially named a stretch of Route 110 in Haverhill the "Emilio Brothers Memorial Highway" in honor of former longtime state Rep. Frank Emilio's older brothers, who were war heroes.
Frank Emilio, who was just a kid when his brothers went off to war, was there with friends and family members to talk about what has been called The Greatest Generation, and how his brothers were part of it.
"The people who served during World War II were born during the depression, and I refer to my brothers as members of the 'Greatest Generation,' which is the title of a book I've read a number of times and which defines that generation," Frank Emilio said, reflecting on the ceremony. "My nephew came up with the idea as throughout the state they honor veterans in one way or another. My brothers would have been honored by this."
The state named a section of Route 110, from the Methuen town line to the end of the state highway at the junction of River Street and Maxwell Street, in honor of Sgt. Bennie Emilio of 172nd Infantry Regiment who spent 27 months in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater during World War II; Technician 5th Grade Romeo Emilio, who served in World War II during the occupation of Germany; Private 1st Class Alfred Emilio who served in World War II during the occupation of Germany; and Pvt. Orazio Emilio of Company G, 30th Infantry, 3rd Division who served in World War II and was awarded five battle stars for service in North Africa, Sicily, Salerno, Anzio and Southern France and was killed in action during house-to-house fighting in Southern France on Aug. 16, 1944.
Frank Emilio attended the ceremony with his wife Sheila, his sister Anna Accardi, his sister-in-law Dorothy Emilio, who is the widow of Alfred Emilio, and a nephew, Rick Wilson, who works for MassHighway and is a grandson of Romeo Emilio.
Also attending the event were Patty Leavenworth, District 4 director for MassHighway, city officials, including Mayor James Fiorentini as well as state Sen. Steven Baddour and state Rep. Brian Dempsey, who were part of Haverhill's legislative team that had introduced legislation to name the highway after the Emilio brothers.
"After the family approached Senator Baddour and I with their idea for this memorial, we were supportive due to the compelling story of the four Emilio Brothers serving in World War II with one, Orazio Emilio, sacrificing his life in combat," said Dempsey.
Frank Emilio was just 7 years old when his brothers were drafted into the Army.
Italian immigrants Frank and Ida Emilio had five sons and four daughters, and at the time lived at 28 Hall St., which is off River Street.
"During the war, that was an Italian neighborhood and many Italians there were drafted," said Emilio, who served on Haverhill's City Council for six years, was elected as state representative in 1981 and served five, two-year terms. In 1990 he was unseated by Dempsey, who had visited him at the Statehouse when he was a senior at Haverhill High.
Frank Emilio said his brother Bennie was a professional boxer in the 1930s, and a good athlete who never got the opportunity to complete high school or go on to college.
"He fought in the Pacific Campaign, and when he returned he ran the old Roma Cafe, which was off Washington Street," he said.
Orazio Emilio was drafted in 1942. It was the last Frank Emilio ever saw of his brother.
"I visited his grave in France around 10 years ago," Frank Emilio said. "I get emotional just thinking about it."
When Romeo Emilio returned from war, he opened a small market on the corner of Beach and River streets, then went on to serve in the Department of Corrections with the Sheriff's Dept.
Frank Emilio said his brother Alfred was considered by many to be the greatest Haverhill High School athlete of his time (Class of 1945) and was a three-sport all scholastic playing football, basketball and baseball. When he returned from war, he worked at Western Electric, then AT&T, then Lucent Technologies until his retirement.
The legislation was initially introduced by state Rep. Brian Dempsey and was co-sponsored by state Reps. Barbara L'Italien, Harriett Stanley and state Sen. Steven Baddour. House Bill 3197 went before the joint committee on transportation, chaired by Baddour, in January of 2009 and subsequently was passed by the house and senate, then signed into law this year by Gov. Deval Patrick.
"At a time when young men and women were asked to sacrifice their youth, the Emilio Brothers were committed to their duty, honor and country," Baddour said. "Three of the four brothers were able to return to their homes, live their lives, and raise their children with the respect and dignity known only to those who have served the call of duty. The dedication of the Emilio Brothers Memorial Highway is a small tribute to a Haverhill family that epitomizes what we know as The Greatest Generation."
MassHighway honoreD
Sgt. Bennie Emilio of 172nd Infantry Regiment who spent 27 months in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater during World War II.
Technician 5th Grade Romeo Emilio, who served in World War II during the occupation of Germany.
Pvt. 1st Class Alfred Emilio who served in World War II during the occupation of Germany.
Pvt. Orazio Emilio of Company G, 30th Infantry, 3rd Division who served in World War II and was awarded five battle stars for service in North Africa, Sicily, Salerno, Anzio and Southern France and was killed in action during house to house fighting in Southern France on Aug. 16, 1944.
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Massachusetts.
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