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Bridge dedication in Uxbridge to honor 1936 Olympic Medalist - Alice Bridges October 2, 2008...Seventy-two years ago, a young woman from Uxbridge achieved Olympic fame winning the Bronze medal in the 100 meter backstroke at the 1936 Olympics in Munich, Germany. At the time, given the razor thin fraction of seconds between Alice W. Bridges of Uxbridge and the United States and the two women from Holland who took Gold and Silver, there was some discussion that international politics might have swayed the judge's medal decisions. In the 100 meter backstroke competition, the Gold Medal was awarded to Dina Senff of the Netherlands with a time of 1:18.9; the Silver Medal went to Hendrika Mastenbroek, also of the Netherlands with a time of 1:19.2; and Alice Bridges of the United States won the Bronze Medal with a time of 1:19.4. Contrary to the one one-hundredth's of a second victory by Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps in Beijing, China in August, there were no electronic touch pads to record the winners in 1936. It all fell to the opinion of the Olympic judges. Even though she placed third, Alice clearly remembers how she felt when they raised the stars and stripes. "Let me tell you, I never was so proud to see that American flag go up for little old me on that field," she said. "That American flag was in third place, grant you, but it was the American flag and that was my country." Alice returned home to a hero's welcome, began a 50-year marriage with Joseph Roche and never swam competitively again. But 72 years removed from that whirlwind summer in Berlin, this great-great grandmother still swims for exercise. Looking back over her nearly 92 years and her Olympic fame, Alice - who now lives in Carlisle, PA - considers herself among the blessed. "I came from a wonderful family and I have a wonderful family. I had a wonderful husband," she said. Although she wasn't awarded a Gold or Silver medal in 1936, Olympic Bronze Medalist Alice Bridges Roche received an honor last year in steel, concrete, and wrought iron when the Massachusetts Legislature approved legislation to designate a bridge in her honor. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, and co-sponsored by Reps. Jennifer Callahan, D-Sutton, and Paul Kujawski, D-Webster. The bridge in the center of Uxbridge on Route 16 (Mendon Street), next to Capron Park will be officially dedicated next Saturday, October 11, 2008 at 11:00 A.M. The ceremony, including a ribbon-cutting featuring the Olympic Medalist is expected to run for about an hour unless weather conditions should cause the speeches to be delayed until the luncheon that follows. Following the bridge dedication, there will be a luncheon at 12:30 PM at the Whitin Community Center in Northbridge sponsored by the Uxbridge Woman's Club and catered by Colleen's Catering. Tickets may be purchased from Club Member Judith Cherrington (508) 473 - 4087 by October 9th. A limited number of tickets may also be available at the door on the day of the event. |
