Korean War Vet Honored by Dedham

Selectmen, veterans and his generations-long Dedham family honored Jim Bradbury Thursday evening for his dedicated service to the town and the .

Francis O'Brien, a commissioner, gave a heartfelt speech about his dear friend and their intertwined history that has all unfolded in Dedham.

"I'm honored to pay tribute to a guy that is 100 percent veteran," O'Brien said. "Good luck in the future, and I will be with you."

Bradbury, class of 1947 and a former firefighter, has family ties to current Dedham Fire Chief William Cullinane, and Bradbury's grandson, Brian Cullinane, was sworn-in as a police officer on Thursday.

Bradbury, 82, joined the Army in 1948 and served in Korea. When he returned home to Dedham in the early 1950s, he joined his brothers on the American Legion Honor Guard.

"To carry the American flag [...] everytime the Legion Honor Guard walks down the street and you were there and a part of that time, it is a rememberence of the sacrifice that the men and women of the military do every day," Board of Selectmen chair Jim MacDonald said.

Bradbury leads the American Legion Honor Guard during many occassions throughout the year, including the Flag Day Parade and Memorial and Veterans day services.

"It was tough on my wife and kids," said Bradbury, who estimated the honor guard has often worked 35 events a year in the past.

Bradbury called on current veterans to join the honor guard and dedicate themselves to what he did for nearly six decades.

"I did what I had to do and I’m proud of what I did," Bradbury said. "I did it with pride. I just hope I did it right."