Warriors forever
The writing has been on the wall for some time.
The space on the Wakefield High School field house facade where the Wakefield Warrior logo was once proudly displayed has been conspicuously empty now for at least five years. Ever since an ill wind reportedly blew the Warrior off the building, the School Department has been in no hurry to replace it.
And now, unless normal people suddenly find the will to stand up to the woke mob, I fear that we will soon be bidding a permanent farewell to the Wakefield Warrior name and logo in all of its iterations.
At a recent meeting, the four surviving members of the Wakefield Human Rights Commission held a strategy session aimed at getting rid of the “racist” Warrior logo. You’d think that in light of its own indecorous recent history, the WHRC might want to keep a low profile for a bit. But for those tasked with defending human rights in suburbia, humility is a luxury they can ill afford.
In fact, recent events have emboldened the forces who would do away with all Native American imagery and names everywhere. Such images, when used as sports logos (or “mascots,” as some would have it) are at best disrespectful caricatures of native peoples, they tell us. At worst, they are blatantly racist.
That might be true in some places, although I doubt it. I know it’s not true of the Wakefield Warrior logo, as history will show.
There have been varying accounts of the origin of the Wakefield Warrior name and logo. Mostly, people repeat bits and pieces of stories they’ve heard. Many have some elements of the story correct and fill in the gaps with hearsay and rumor. But few know real story.
So, I went through the Wakefield High School yearbooks to figure out exactly when Wakefield sports teams became known as the Warriors.
It clearly began in 1947, which was the first year “Warriors” are mention in the WHS yearbook. Prior to that, you won’t find any reference to Warriors. From 1947 on, it’s all Warriors all the time.
There aren’t a lot of members of the Wakefield High School Class of 1947 still around, but as I thumbed through that yearbook, I did find one: Richard Bayrd. Mr. Bayrd also happens to be Wakefield’s most prominent Native American. His father, Leonard, once owned the fondly remembered Indian Trading Post at the head of the Lake. For nearly 50 years, Richard Bayrd has proudly marched in every Wakefield July 4th Parade, clad in full Native American garb.
So, last Saturday, I decided to give Mr. Bayrd a call. Did he know how Wakefield’s teams came to be known as the Warriors?
“My father named the Wakefield Warriors and the Saugus Sachems,” Bayrd said.
Imagine that. The “racist” Warrior name was actually supplied by a Native American.
That is what’s known as a primary source – the eyewitness account of someone who was there at the time. Richard Bayrd was a member of the WHS Class of 1947, the year they became the Warriors, and I have no reason to doubt his word.
Lending further credence to Bayrd’s account was something else that he volunteered during our phone conversation. His classmate and lifelong friend, Jack Galvin, designed the very first Warrior logo, a fact that I was able to independently verify.
The very first time the Warrior image was used to represent the Wakefield High School sports teams was in the 1947 WHS yearbook. At the start of that yearbook’s sports section is the nearly full-page illustration by Class Artist Jack Galvin. The very first Warrior logo is a forward-facing Native American in full headdress and warpaint. Surrounding the logo are smaller drawings of football, basketball, baseball and hockey players – all sporting Indian garb and feathers.
In large text under the illustrated logo are these words: “Here we found many happy warriors.”
In small letters in the lower left, the artist wrote his initials: JRG. John Rogers Galvin.
Does that name ring a bell? It should.
Starting in 1987 Gen. John Rogers “Jack” Galvin was Supreme Allied Commander of NATO forces in Europe and the Commander of Chief of U.S. Army, Navy and Air Forces in Europe. Earlier in his military career, he served in the Vietnam War as staff officer and as commander of the 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry.
Following his retirement from the U.S. Army, Gen. Galvin enjoyed an impressive career in academia. He taught at his alma mater, West Point, and in 1995, he became the sixth dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.
He also wrote a number of books, and yet all this doesn’t even scratch the surface of the man’s accomplishments.
No wonder they named the Galvin Middle School after him.
So, let’s review. Around 1947, a prominent local Native American family played a key role in providing the “Warrior” name. At about the same time, the future career soldier, Gen. John Rogers Galvin, drew the original Warrior logo.
It’s hard to imagine that the man who would go on to a distinguished career as a “warrior” viewed Indian warriors with anything but awe and respect. In addition, his WHS classmate and lifelong friend was Richard Bayrd, whose Native American father, Leonard, gave the Warriors their name.
But those who would eliminate the Warrior logo do so in the name of “human rights.” Where are Richard Bayrd’s human rights?
The human thing to do, the right thing to do, would be to go to Mr. Bayrd and explain to this proud man why you want to erase his family’s legacy. Explain to him why the Warrior logo originally designed by his good friend Jack Galvin is “racist.”
Finally, if you still believe that the Warrior logo is racist and has to go, then I suppose we’re going to have to change the name of the Galvin Middle School too. Isn’t that how this works?
If you think that sounds far-fetched, you haven’t been paying attention.
[This column originally appeared in the August 8, 2020 Wakefield Daily Item.]
Filed under: Columns & Essays, History, News, Opinion, Politics, Wakefield | 11 Comments
Tags: American Indians, cancel culture, Dick Bayrd, Galvin Middle School, Humor, Jack Galvin, John Rogers Galvin, Leonard Bayard, logo, Mark Sardella, mascot, Massachusetts, Native Americans, NATO, Opinion, Politics, racist, Richard Bayrd, Saugus Sachems, U.S. Army, Wakefield Daily Item, Wakefield High School, Wakefield Human Rights Commission, Wakefield MA, Wakefield Warriors, warrior
Leave it alone! There is nothing racist in either the name ” Wakefield Warriors” or the Indian logo which has been changed a number of times over the years.
Keep the Warrior. Class of 56
What a great, informative article, which solidified my stance as a proud Wakefield Warrior alumni ( class of 1979 ). The Logo must stay. There was no ill or racist intent as the those on the other side have said. In today’s climate of changing all things in the name of racial equality and the removal of it’s History, is very wrong in this case. Stand proud fellow Warriors and protect our history of the past, present and future Of our Wakefield Warriors
Great writings Mark. My uncle told me the story when I was little. Just as you have written in this Article. It would truly be a shame to dishonor both names indeed. It isn’t being racist and to me a bit on embarrassment on their part for not knowing the truth before saying such things. I really hope that they will Reconsider and not take our name away. I have always been proud to say I went to the WHS and that the Warriors has a fine football team. As well as other sports games. I also remember seeing him March in our parades best part showing his history. Going up to the head of the lake to the trading post. It would be a shame to take away the Warrior name and logo. What has our world come to? Sadness really.
I’m a newcomer to Wakefield (only 45 years). I was 9 years old in 1947.
It occurred to me there had to be many “warriors” returned from Europe and the Pacific living in Wakefield at the time. I think they would be pleased to be called Warrior.
Interestingly, no one identifies as Native American or indigenous on the Wakefield Town Census. And though one supposedly indigenous individual is fine with the logo, there have been a large number of indigenous peoples in Massachusetts who have made public statements that this very same Wakefield Warrior logo is offensive to them. Additionally, this mascot hurts the education of the Caucasian individuals in our community by providing them with only the extremely myopic “savage” depiction of indigenous peoples in our community. This logo has to be updated.
If no one identifies as Native American or Indigenous on the Town Census, perhaps it’s because the Town Census does not ask the ethnic background of local citizens. And while you attempt to diminish the legitimacy of one such individual by labeling him “supposedly indigenous,” I can tell you that he prefers the term “Indian.” Finally, I don’t think the Warrior logo is the “only” depiction of indigenous peoples taught in our schools. I know for a fact that they are taught every day about the murderous Europeans who came here and “stole” the land of native tribes that previously had lived utopian lifestyles, never, ever waging war or torturing or taking each other as slaves.
The American/Indian Bayrd family also designed costumes worn by the Wakefield majorettes. Beautiful costumes. I saw them first hand as I am a 1971 Wakefield High graduate. They were also my neighbors. Nice,respected,and friendly family they were. Funny, they weren’t offended but proud of their culture and willing to share it with their fellow Wakefield residents. Nowadays people feel the need to create something to be offended by.
As a Tax Payer of the Acton/Boxboro community and the name is the Colonials and the school committee has deemed it inappropriate where does it end. Although they ran for that Seat and have a hard job, who let them know they can do what they want . I am tired of woke community. I agree with most of these decisions but when is enough is enough. Let’s wipe out everything. When does it ever stop. I am not a Trump supporter. I am tired of erasing all History, good or bad. Discourse is healthy. Not cancel Culture.
I know I’m late to the game Mark, but I wanted to let you know how much I love this article amd that I’ve shared it many times.
Ahh the wokeness. If you’re not careful, they’ll even cance Halloween!
Thanks, Dave. I remember you from a run for State Rep. many years ago.