Submitted by Lt. Tommy Keegan, (Ret.) Greenwich Police Dept.
Over 50 years ago when the Town of Greenwich wanted to build an ice rink on the former Byram School property Frank Keegan, the Deputy Director of Recreation, was faced with a dilemma.
Where can we build it, he asked himself so that it won’t be in the way. We don’t want it to take up all the open space. We need to build it where it won’t destroy the ball fields and more importantly won’t affect the trees that were planted many years ago by Mr. Morlot on the hill behind the school.
You see, Frank Keegan was there when those trees were planted. He was a student at Byram School. He still had enormous respect for Mr. Morlot and the men for whom the trees memorialized. One of the trees had even been planted for Frank’s brother’s brother- in-law. Frank knew he had to find a way to get it done and he was good at getting tough things done.

Frances “Frank” Keegan, Czar of Parks & Rec
Frank Keegan got into his car and he drove to Byram. He spoke to the neighborhood and he listened. He spoke to the veterans at The Byram Vets and he listened. He spoke with the hockey players and he listened. Most importantly he listened to his heart and he listened to the spirit of those Byram Boys who made the ultimate sacrifice for their Country for whom those trees were planted.
In the end Frank Keegan and the Town of Greenwich built the skating rink. They didn’t build it in the middle of that beautiful and simple park; they built it “out of the way” up on the knoll, tucked away in the corner and everyone was satisfied.
Now the Town had its skating rink. The kids could still play ball and good men like Sal Strazza could teach them life lessons. Byram still had the fields behind Byram School. And the heroes on the hill would be left alone to enjoy their peace and tranquility until the end of time.
Frank Keegan was very proud of that ice rink. He would visit it from time to time, watch the people skate or cheer on the local hockey teams. He might even be lucky enough to catch a ball game being played on the fields he was so happy to save.
As for the trees, he like many others would simply stop, pause for a moment and say a silent prayer thanking those heroes who went to Byram School, made the ultimate sacrifice and now looked down upon that hill. The hill that would be theirs forever.

Memorial grove of trees in Eugene Morlot Park, behind former Byram School.