In a low-key presentation on Saturday, February 27, at 1 pm at the Town Hall, Charlie Nickerson was honored by local officials and veterans’ groups. Nickerson became Holliston’s oldest veteran at the age of 95½ on December 4, 2020, with the passing of Vasco Brovelli. Only 14 WWII town veterans survive. While the pandemic precluded a larger ceremony, Nickerson was okay with the smaller ceremony, not wanting to make a fuss.

The first order of the day was the unveiling of the Honor Roll listing the town’s oldest veteran inside Town Hall. American Legion Commander Steve Bradford told Nickerson of the plaque’s history as well as the history of the sword in the case donated by local Navy veteran Donald Bates.

As an 18-year-old, Charlie joined the Army as his six brothers had. (One brother Andrew died in a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp.) A member of the Army’s 82nd Airborne Div., Nickerson would see action on D-Day and again during the Battle of the Bulge, earning two Silver Stars and a Russian medal for valor. The 82^nd lost 5,245 men in 33 days before the unit regrouped in England and headed back for the Battle of the Bulge on September 17^th, 1944.

More than a dozen well-wishers greeted Nickerson in upper Town Hall.  Chairman of the Select Board John Cronin read a proclamation on behalf of town residents making February 27^th Charlie Nickerson Day in Holliston. Town Clerk Liz Greendale read a citation on behalf of Senate President Karen Spilka, and Legion Adjutant Walter McGrath read a citation from the House of Representatives on behalf of State Representative Carolyn Dykema.

Bobby Blair read a host of comments to Charlie from social media, where folks had replied to a previous story about Nickerson’s WWII exploits. Blair said he noticed a meme on Facebook which reminded him of Charlie which read: “And before you laugh at the old fart wobbling around with his VFW hat on, just remember – He was probably once a bigger bad-ass than you will ever dream of being.”  Blair said, “Charlie with two Silver Stars, I guess that makes you a bad-ass.”

Mark Liberty wrote on Facebook, “I love to hear about our history and the people who contributed to it. The greatest wisdom is to listen to those who have come before us and then to say thank you. Thank you at 95 plus, you have contributed and witnessed so much I am in Awe”.

Nickerson was presented with Life Memberships from both the American Legion Post 47 and VFW Post 8507.  Mr. Nick—in his modest way—declined to take the mic to conclude the ceremony.  AJ Collins, who had purchased Out Post Farm from Nickerson, told those present that many visiting the farm had read the previous Holliston Reporter article about Charlie and were unaware of Charlie’s history.

Arrangements for the day were handled by American Legion Commander Steve Bradford and Adjutant Walter McGrath, along with Junior Vice-Commander Bob Hopkins. Driving orderly for the ride back to Highland Street was Dennis Prefontaine.

In the background of the last photo, you might have spotted the HCAT cameraman. You can view the 20 minute recording of the event here -> https://youtu.be/sS8kAYpENB4