Easton Community Rallies to Clear Yard for 91-Year-Old Veteran Gordon Melin
More than two dozen volunteers and local businesses gathered in Easton, Massachusetts, to clear overgrown trees, weeds, and debris from the property of 91-year-old Vietnam veteran Gordon Melin, WJAR reported. Melin, who has lived on Reynolds Street his entire life in a home built in the late 1800s, had stopped maintaining the yard several years ago due to health issues.
An Accidental Meeting Sparked Years of Community Support
Ed Dauphinais met Melin five years ago after Melin experienced power steering failure at night in a gas station parking lot and Dauphinais was the only person to stop and help. Dauphinais and his wife since began assisting Melin on a weekly basis by bringing him food and driving him to medical appointments. Dauphinais stated that the encounter felt like a divine meeting after realizing how much help Melin needed.
A Lifetime of Service Preceded the Community Cleanup
Melin served in the army from 1957 to 1964 as part of a military family that included his father in World War I, two brothers in the Korean War, and a nephew in Desert Storm. After his military service, Melin worked in public service and delivered newspapers until he was 76 years old. He also volunteered to clean cemetery stones and volunteered at the Easton town hall.
Social Media Call Brought Dozens of Volunteers and Local Businesses
Dauphinais posted a request on social media to see if volunteers would assist with Melin’s overgrown landscaping. On Saturday, more than two dozen volunteers arrived to clear the property, allowing Melin to see his neighbor’s house for the first time in years.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Easton Veteran Cleanup
Who organized the volunteer cleanup for Gordon Melin?
Ed Dauphinais organized the cleanup after posting a request for volunteers on social media to help clear Melin’s overgrown yard.
What military branch did Gordon Melin serve in?
Melin served in the army from 1957 until 1964 during the Vietnam War era.
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