Joseph Theodore - Veteran

Joseph Theodore - A True American Patriot dies at age 92

Joseph Theodore, who led the effort to fly the American Flag at night, died at age 92. “There is no wavering when it comes to Joseph Theodore Jr.’s love for America and the stars and stripes.” wrote Curt Brown of the Standard-Times in Dec. 2007. “I have worked very hard in my life for my country and our flag” said Mr. Theodore.

Mr. Theodore served in the Army, was stationed in France and returned home to continue to serve his community and nation, leading an effort to fly the flag at night. Then he championed the raising of the flag atop the Old Glory Tower in New Bedford. For his unflinching love of country and the symbol of its freedom, Mr. Theodore was selected as the Standard-Times’ 2007 Dartmouth Man of the Year.

At the time, Mr. Theodore stated, “I want to present my country a patriotic gift with Lights of Peace” he said “I feel I want to do something really meaningful. The flag belongs to 300 million people.”

“There isn’t enough room in the Standard-Times to talk about Joe Theodore,” said Dan LeBlanc, Director of Veteran’s Services of New Bedford, extolling his friends’ virtues. “He lives and dies by the flag,” he said “He’s a true American veteran.”

Mr. Theodore’s most exciting assignment was working with the Secret Service assigned to protect President Truman at Potsdam. He said he saw Hitler’s underground bunker in Berlin as well as heads of state. “I saw Churchill everyday until they threw him out of office,” he said “I saw (Communist Party General Secretary Joseph) Stalin once. It was quite an exciting time.

Mr. Theodore’s contributions to his country and to the region continued in 1968 when he convinced former New Bedford Mayor Edward Harrington to fly the U.S. flag after sundown. Three years later, he was responsible for having a flag raised at the Old Glory Tower, the brick tower overlooking Interstate 195, which has become a shining tribute to veterans and servicemen.

On February 15, 1968 the City of New Bedford was the first to fly our nation’s flag from dusk to dawn, 24 hours a day with the Lights for Peace shining on her. The first “Lights for Peace” flag was flown at the New Bedford City Hall and the second flag flew at the Old Glory Tower. That was 41 years ago. Following the city’s lead, a flag was illuminated and flown at the Statehouse. In 1972, President Nixon proclaimed that a flag was to fly atop the White House and from every customs port of entry in the country. The Bancroft family, who owns the Old Glory Tower honors a different veteran with a new flag every month.

Joseph Theodore, along with David Bancroft worked together for over 30 years honoring veterans. Three years ago, after Mr. Bancroft’s passing, Mr. Theodore enlisted the help of Linda Ferreira, Marketing Director from Ashley Ford to research the life and history of each veteran honored and for Paul Neary, GM of Ashley Ford to raise the flag each month. Linda Rodriques from the Standard-Times continues to write the story dedications each month which is published in the Standard-Times. Today 442 flags have been flown at the tower.

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