On Sunday, the 15th of September, 2024, the Wm. F. Eggo Post 2597 sponsored our 4th Annual “Freedom” Road Race”. Once again, it was a beautiful day filled with family fun and entertainment. This year’s race was dedicated to the honor of Vietnam combat veteran Bob Solomon.
2024 VFW “Freedom” 5K in HONOR OF MR. BOB SOLOMON
Bob Solomon was a true Billerica Boy. He graduated from BMHS in 1961and worked at various jobs before joining the U.S. Army in 1964. He proudly served with the 335th Air Transportation Company at Ft. Bragg, N.C. In preparation for his tour of Vietnam, Bob successfully completed the following courses – Aircraft Maintenance Course, Single Engine Observation & Utility Airplane Maintenance Course, and Multi Engine Observation. He shipped over to Dong Ba Thin with the 335th in September 1965. He remained in Vietnam completing two tours back-to-back. Part of their mission when the 335tharrived was to start the buildup of Don Ba Thin. He remembers the spraying of Agent Orange to kill the dense foliage. At the beginning of his arrival in Dong Ba Thin, Bob was responsible for scheduling and performance of maintenance on all aircraft assigned to the 14th Aviation Battalion. He was part of the recovery team and flew every day with the CO in the Company. He was a crew chief on the Caribou 442 for the remainder of his time in Viet Nam. Bob received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Aircraft Crewman’s Badge. Bob’s rank was SP5 (T) when he was discharged on April 5, 1967.
Upon returning home to Billerica, Bob followed in the family footsteps becoming a Journeymen Pipefitter until 1974 when he applied and was hired by the Town of Billerica as the first Rink Manger. He eventually returned to his former profession. Along with his brother they started their own company called Solomon Mechanical. It was a great run.
On a more personal note, Bob married his high school sweetheart, Barbara McGinness Solomon. Bob and Barbara remained in Billerica raising their daughter. He was very active in his community during his lifetime. He was a Town Meeting Member, served over 10 years on the Housing Committee, and a Billerica Jaycees past Vice President and Treasurer. Also, he was Billerica’s Representative on the Board of Directors of SHARE Inc.
Bob’s family suffered a tragic loss in World War II. His Uncle Albert was killed during a combat mission in Germany on his second tour of duty and his Uncle Robert was killed when the USS Jacob Jones was torpedoed by a German submarine. Bob’s father Stanley served in the U.S. Navy but remained stateside during the war. The VFW Post 8819 is named in their honor. Bob’s grandparents were the only double Gold Star parents in Billerica. Sadly, we lost Bob on June 17, 2018. “A Life Well Lived”
Beneficiary: The funds raised from this event will be used in furthering our mission of fostering camaraderie among United States veterans of overseas conflicts, serving our veterans, the military and our communities and to advocate on the behalf of all veterans.
Post-race Refreshments: Once again this year, Billerica Moose Club members donated food and their time to grill for our race contestants.
Awards: 1st place finishers in each race category received trophies and gift certificates.
Entertainment: Caryn from Curtis Knight Entertainment provided a mix of great music prior to race start and for hours after the race.
T-Shirts: All contestants received race t-shirts.
The Wm. F. Eggo VFW Post 2597 would like to thank all of the donors listed below for their VERY GENEROUS DONATIONS;
Marquis Tree Service
Billerica Moose Lodge
Billerica Fire Department Union
Billerica Police Department Paramedics Union
Sweeney’s Funeral Home
Enterprise Bank, North Billerica
Billerica Police Union 5A and 5B
Marshall’s Autobody
O’Connor’s Hardware
Whole Foods, Bedford, MA
Market Basket, Tewksbury, MA
W.L. French, Billerica, MA
Billerica Country Club
High Octane Harley
