Quincy to dedicate new bridge, park in honor of local U.S. military generals

QUINCY, Mass. — Quincy has coupled a major economical downtown project with a tribute to its history with U.S. military generals.

Quincy has 18 U.S. military generals that grew up in the city.

Three of them became four-star generals. A ceremony to dedicate a new bridge and park in honor of their service will be held on Saturday -- the 20th anniversary of the September 11th terror attacks.

Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch gave Boston 25 News an exclusive look at the Generals Bridge and Park that will honor the 18 military generals who all have one thing in common -- they’re from Quincy.

“This really tells our stories of our generals,” Koch said. “I would call these guys those modern day patriots that served 40-42 years in their entire life.”

The dedication on September 11 will dedicate the bridge and three, seven foot bronze statues of several of the generals including four-star generals -- Joseph Dunford and James McConville.

“It’s about celebrating the idea of the service, the idea of being part of something bigger than yourself,” Dunford said.

“Quincy just has a proud history with patriotism. It’s just not generals. It’s soldiers, sailors, it’s airmen and marines,” McConville said.

General Dunford is a retired U.S. Marine general who served as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

General McConville serves in the U.S. Army and is currently the Chief of Staff.

Koch said the bridge and park tells each of their stories like the one for General Charles Sweeney, who graduated from North Quincy High School.

“He was the gentlemen who dropped both bombs in Japan,” Koch explained.

Quincy is better known as the City of Presidents.

In fact, the remains of both former Presidents -- John Adams and John Quincy Adams are entombed at the First Parish Church right across from City Hall.

“Quincy is very special growing up, there is just wonderful people there. We had great role models in our parents,” said McConville. “I think it reflects that the city has always prioritized service, it has always prioritized civic pride,” said Dunford.

One interesting piece of trivia -- General Dunford and McConville were friends and even had the same Patriot Ledger route at different times.

“When we were kids Joe won’t admit this we played ‘hillies and swampies,’ but he’d deny it and always said he was playing Marines,” McConville said.

The Mayor says all of these Generals ended up leading the country during difficult times and their leadership will help others. “It’s my hope that this will continue inspire people who are thinking about service,” Koch said.

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