By David Fortier

Members of the local Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) chapter replaced a pin oak at the memorial of WW I soldier John Bresnahan earlier today at the corner of Mellon St. and Memorial Boulevard.

The ceremony drew a small crowd, including several local historians, the mayor and several members of the City Council.

Members of the local DAR, from left, Donna Madonna, Kristie Arbesman, Stacy Perrone Petta, Linda Roberts Arbesman, region Lee McFadden, Teresa Cubbideau and Mary Hyde, pitched in to dig the hole for the pin oak commemorting John Bresnahan. (Photos by D. Fortier)

The actual digging of the hole for the tree was done by members of the local chapter, led by chapter region Lee McFadden. The DAR members were joined by members of the McFadden family who rolled the tree off the bed of their pick up truck.

Aside from McFadden, members of the Katherine Gaylord Chapter wielding shovels to dig the 3 ft. by 3 ft. hole, included Donna Madonna, Kristie Arbesman, Linda Roberts Arbesman, Stacy Perron Petta, Teresa Cubbideau and Mary Hyde.

From left, Shawn McFadden, Brendan McFadden, Colin McFadden, Lee McFadden and councilman Scott Rosado roll the pin oak that was planted in memory of WW I soldier John Bresnahan. (Photo by D. Fortier)

Members of the McFadden family who lent a hand were dad, Shawn, and sons, Brendan and Colin. Assisting them was Councilman Scott Rosado.

Local history buffs, Tom Dickau and Carol Denehy, left, were on hand for the ceremony. Dickau brought the loss of the tree for the Bresnahan memorial to the attention to the Bristol parks and rec department, according the parks and rec deputy superintendent Sarah Larson. Sarah Larson, parks and rec deputy superintendent, Mayor Ellen Zoppo-Sassu and Councilman Peter Kelley were in attendance, as was, Councilwoman Mary Fortier, lower right, on the right, with Teresa Cubbideau and Lee McFadden. (Photos by D. Fortier)

Tom Dickau and Carol Denehy, local history buffs, attended. According to an email from deputy superintendent of Parks and Rec and Youth Services, Sarah Larson, it was Dickau who noticed that two oaks, including the one honoring Bresnahan, were missing.

The local DAR volunteered to replace the tree as part of Arbor Day. The replacement of a second tree is planned for the Boulevard’s 100th anniversary celebration.

The pin oak, purchased at Winterberry Gardens, matches those planted years ago in memory of Bristol residents who died in WW I.