Submitted by Caroline St. Don for the Acushnet Grange
While doing some cleaning at the Acushnet Grange hall we came across an American flag that was flown over the US Capitol. The Grange flew the flag during the July 4th weekend this year.
The letter received with the flag was dated July 6, 1966: 60 years ago. The flag was sent to the Honorable Hasting Keith, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. The flag was for John Acucena of Acushnet as Chairman of the Acushnet Town Committee. Which committee and how the flag ended up at the Grange Hall all these years is still a mystery.
But, doing some reach with the help of Acushnet Town Clerk, Pamela Labonte, I have found a little history on Joao (John) M. Acucena.
A flag found at the Acushnet Grange that belonged to Joao (John) Acucena and dates back to 1966, flies at the grange building on July 4, 2026. Photo by Joshua Cunha for the Acushnet Grange.
John was born in 1914 in Fairhaven and died 2001 in Acushnet. He served in the US Army, was married to Alice Budd, and they had a son and two daughters.
John lived on Main Street in Acushnet and was active on town committees. He was on the first committee for the Housing Authority and served from 1971 to 1974. He was a Boy Scout Leader and a member of the Acushnet Grange #285.
The flag will be given to the grandchildren along with the letter in a private exchange.
The Acushnet Grange has served the town of Acushnet for 117 years founded in agriculture to help the farmers and serving their local community.
Anyone interested in the Grange can contact Caroline at grangemacs@comcast.net.
•••
Click here to download the 7/30/26 issue: 07-30-26 ConcertCtr
Support local journalism, donate to the Neighb News with PayPal
