Assistant Town Manager Antonio Morabito reached out to Tri-County last year for a new display case to house the town’s Pearl Harbor memorabilia. The cabinet showcases an article about the Pearl Harbor Bombings and photos taken at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, by Edward “Shorty” Ruest, a North Attleborough resident serving in the Navy as a Seaman 1st Class aboard the USS Independence during World War II. Ruest had 10-battle stars denoting his combat battles with enemy forces and was a Purple Heart Recipient.
“It was an absolute pleasure working with the Tri County students,” said Morabito. “We were impressed with their enthusiasm and their pride in craftsmanship. We are pleased to have their work house an important piece of North Attleboro history prominently displayed in our Town Hall.”
The case is flanked by the American Flag and a POW/MIA Flag. It hangs above an empty memorial chair in honor of POW/MIAs. The project was worked on throughout the 2021-2022 school year and was built using solid wood and a glass sliding door purchased from local small business, Franklin Glass Company.
Seniors Israel Pereira of Blackstone and Connor Bertram of Franklin built the cabinet between projects with the guidance of their teachers, Mark Spillane and Jeremy Barstow, and finished days before graduation. Conner Jackson of North Attleborough, Sam Sepulveda of Medway, and Justin DeMarino of Plainville (Class of 2023) helped deliver the new case to the North Attleborough Town Hall, where it is installed in the lobby.
