Veterans feted to USO-style breakfast and traditional Veterans’ Day ceremony

 

 

By MAUREEN DOHERTY

NORTH READING — The town’s veterans were treated to two special events this past week to commemorate the 106th Veterans’ Day observance in honor of their service to their country.

Just 10 weeks after becoming the town’s new Veterans’ Service Director following the retirement of Susan Magner from this position, Major TJ Tedeschi, USMC (Ret), organized a special Veterans breakfast held at the Moose Lodge, 140 North St., on Thursday morning, Nov. 7, and presided over the town’s traditional Veterans’ Day ceremony on the Town Common at the war memorials on Tuesday morning, Nov. 11. He was assisted in both endeavors by the Veterans Event Committee, the staff of the Edith O’Leary Senior Center, and numerous volunteers.

Veterans and one guest were invited to the catered Veterans breakfast, which was a light-hearted event held in the style of a Bob Hope USO roast. The festivities began with bagpiper Nate Silva followed by opening remarks from Tedeschi, and a National Anthem solo on electric guitar by musician Mike DeAngelis, who also happens to be Tedeschi’s music teacher.

Musical entertainment was provide throughout the morning by DJ Peter Accolla followed by a blessing offered by Minister George T. Jackman. On display at the Mood Hall was the traditional POW/MIA missing service member table and lining on side of the hall were over a dozen “Heroic Reflections” posters created by Eagle Scout candidate and NRHS freshman Liam Steele of Boy Scout Troop 750. The posters are part of his living history project and accompany a series of interviews he conducted with veterans who have ties to North Reading and who served in the armed forces from the 1950s to present day. The interviews were combined into a single video entitled “Heroic Reflections.” The posters and video have been donated to the Flint Memorial Library.

Also featured at the breakfast was a series of fun interviews of many North Reading veterans produced by Michael Callahan of Black Tie Video during which they recalled their time in the service, including the famous people they met through USO events and their (not so fond) memories of the food they were served while in the service. This led directly to the theme of the catered meal provided by Jay Duffley of Ryer’s and Pat Fillmore of the Senior Center called tongue-in-cheek “Not Sh*t on a Shingle.”

After breakfast was served, those in attendance were thrilled to be entertained by the entire third grade chorus from the J.T. Hood Elementary School, with many singing along to the patriotic songs, and a sing-a-long with Elaine Grosso.

The event concluded with the USO-style entertainment by stand up comedian Jody Sloane, a Coast Guard veteran who often poked fun at herself and the many antics that took place in the service back in the day, as well as the travails of present-day civilian life.

VETERANS’ DAY CEREMONY

A traditional and more solemn Veterans’ Day ceremony was held on November 11 beginning at 11 a.m. in honor of the courage and sacrifice of all veterans. Vietnam Marine Corps veteran and Veterans Event Committee Chairman Richard Stratton served as the event’s emcee.

The skies were a glorious blue and the wind was steady and strong, keeping dozens of flags held by the Patriot Guard aloft throughout the hour-long ceremony.

The invocation and was delivered by Rev. Rachel Fisher of Aldersgate UMC and the Presentation of the Colors followed by the North Reading Police Honor Guard as the large crowd of veterans, their families and community members stood at attention. The town’s Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and Brownies led the Pledge of Allegiance followed by the National Anthem, sung by NRHS senior soloist Alivia Rowe.

The winning essay in the North Reading Republican Town Committee’s annual scholarship essay contest, open to local high school seniors on the theme: “What the American Flag Means to Me,” written by 2024 NRHS graduate Jessica Nicole Simone, was read by Irene Yull.

Governor Maure Healey’s Veterans’ Day Proclamation was read by Select Board Vice Chairman Stephen O’Leary and the Town’s Veterans’ Day Proclamation was read by Select Board member Nick Masse.

VEC member Debbie Aldrich gathered the youngest in attendance for a special Veterans’ Day storytime and a discussion on who veterans are and why we celebrate theh holiday. She then read aloud “Otto’s Tale.”

Major Tedeschi then introduced honored guest speaker, and his longtime personal friend, Lt. Col. Kyle Bush, USMC, who served 23 years, from 2000 to 2023 and is now retired. A Kent State University graduate with a major in aeronautics, Bush was commissioned a 2nd Lt. In the U.S. Marine Corps in 2000 and attended flight school in Pensacola, Florida. “He was assigned to the CH-46E pipeline and later stationed in New River, North Carolina, where he deployed multiple times to Iraq and the Middle East from 2004 to 2009 as part of HMM-162, HMM-264, and as the Air Combat Element with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit in support of the Global War on Terrorism,” Tedeschi said.

“Following those three combat deployments, LtCol Bush returned to Pensacola, where he was assigned to training squadron HT-18 as a Flight Instructor. He proudly trained 24 students on-wings, and sat in the cockpit with at least 1,000 Naval student pilots, who undergo the most comprehensive aeronautical training in the world. It is a lofty dream to earn the coveted gold Naval aviator wings,” Tedeschi explained, adding, “From that assignment, the LtCol was hand selected to be a Presidential Pilot at Marine Helicopter Squadron One, HMX-1. Flying the prestigious Marine One VH-3D and VH60N helicopters for both Presidents Obama and Trump on nearly 100 missions, to include overseas assignments. This included once again being hand selected to oversee the Presidential Alert Facility at Anacostia, Maryland as the Officer in Charge.”

In his fifth year of presidential service, LtCol Bush returned to Pensacola “…as the Senior Marine of the ‘Transition for Naval Advanced Helicopter Training,’ where he oversaw the replacement of the aging TH-57 with the new advanced Leonardo TH-73A. This program was contract heavy and politically driven; his time in Washington while overseeing the Presidential Alert Facility benefited the program greatly, ultimately creating greater cooperation, and improving delivery dates, thereby strengthening the country’s warfighting capability by not allowing pilot accession training to slow or stymie,” Tedeschi explained.

“LtCol Bush has mastered 10 type model series aircraft, and holds the sought-after military occupational specialty, 6002, Aircraft Maintenance Officer. As a leader, he has been directly charged with leading organization level squadron maintenance within the CH-53E community. Chances are, next time you take a flight out of Boston or anywhere else you might have one of his flight students at the controls,” Tedeschi  said.

Lt. Col. Bush said it was both an honor and a profound responsibility to address the brave men and women who have served our country. “Veterans’ Day is more than just a date on the calendar; it is a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by those who have worn the uniform of our armed forces. It is a day to reflect on the courage, commitment, and toughness of our veterans, and to express our deepest gratitude for their service,” he said.

“To our veterans: Your service has been the foundation of our freedom. You have stood guard in times of peace and fought valiantly in times of war. You have missed birthdays, holidays, and countless precious moments with your loved ones. You have endured hardships most of us can barely fathom, all to ensure that we can live in a land of liberty and opportunity,” Bush told them.

He continued, “Your unwavering commitment to duty, honor, and country inspires us all. It reminds us that freedom comes at a great cost, paid for by the brave souls who have answered the call to serve. As we think about your service today, let us also consider how we can honor your legacy. Saying ‘thank you for your service’ once a year isn’t enough. We must strive to be worthy of the freedoms you have protected, to be engaged citizens, and to support our veterans in concrete ways.”

Bush thanked the families of veterans for their many sacrifices. “The sleepless nights, the worry, the strength you have shown in supporting your loved ones—these are also acts of patriotism and service to our nation. Your support has been the backbone of our veterans’ strength, and for that, we owe you our deepest gratitude,” he said.

“As we leave here today, let us carry with us a renewed appreciation for the price of freedom and a commitment to honoring our veterans not just today, but every day. Let us make sure no veteran feels forgotten or left behind. We can all play a part in showing our gratitude, whether it is through volunteering at VA hospitals, supporting veteran-owned businesses, or simply taking the time to listen to a veteran’s story,” Bush said.

The award-winning NRHS Marching Band played Michael Sweeney’s “Marches of the Armed Forces.” After a firing of volleys by the North Reading Minit and Militia, a moment of silence was held as five veterans placed wreaths on each of the town’s war memorials. Bulgers Ivan Deiko and Alexina Sepke played “Taps” and Stratton offered his closing remarks followed by the benediction delivered by Rev. Fisher and “God Bless America” played by the band.

 

View more Veterans’ Day event photos below. 

Scenes from Veterans’ Day ceremony and breakfast