Ludlow pays tribute to a fallen Marine

LUDLOW, Mass. (WWLP) - The town of Ludlow is paying tribute to a fallen Marine. Marine Sergeant Joshua Desforges was a 2004 graduate of Ludlow High School.

He was killed in action in Afghanistan on May 20, 2010. To honor him, the school is creating a scholarship and a memorial in his name.

Thomas Cote, an attendance officer at Ludlow H.S., said "Josh was a great kid. From the age of 13 he wanted to be a Marine. I am blown away with the support from the Ludlow community. They've really stepped it up a notch and they're really coming out to support what we're trying to do."

"The student council has always participated in helping give back to the community," said Brian Bylicki, student council adviser of Ludlow H.S. "And we work together to try to make this a good memorial for Josh."

The junior high and high school bands will be wearing specially made memorial t-shirts in the town's Memorial Day Parade.

Employees at Randall's and Big Y plan to wear them to work on Monday. Organizers hope to sell fifteen-hundred of the shirts.

For those who wish to donate please make all checks payable to:

LHS/Sgt. Desforges Fund

and mail to:
Ludlow High School/Sgt. Desforges Fund
500 Chaplin Street
Ludlow, MA 01056