Of the many Waterville heroes who died in World War I, one person stood out, the first casualty from Waterville, 1st Sgt. Arthur T. Castonguay. He was wounded nearly 100 years ago at the Battle of Xivray, France, on June 16, 1918, and died two days later.

On Armistice Day (now Veterans Day) Nov. 11, 1921, Park Square was formally dedicated to the memory of the 20 heroes who made the supreme sacrifice and was renamed Castonguay Square. A large plaque with his name mounted on a boulder was placed facing Main Street.

In 1986, the park was rededicated and the boulder with the plaque was moved to the rear of the park

For the groups planning to use the park for other purposes such as music and the farmers market, please remember that this was intended to be sacred ground.

Here is a quote from the prayer said at the rededication, “May this square be a lasting memorial to those who served our country in time of War and their loyalty and love in time of Peace.

Pearley A. Lachance

Winslow


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