Veterans’ Day ceremonies held in impressive new GMS Memorial Auditorium
THE WAKEFIELD MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL Chamber Singers performed the National Anthem and “Of Thee I Sing.”
By MARK SARDELLA
WAKEFIELD — Hundreds of local residents turned out yesterday for the first ever Veterans’ Day ceremonies held in the new Veterans Memorial Auditorium at the Galvin Middle School. Attendees also got their first look at the newly restored portraits of Wakefield servicemen killed in foreign wars, which are now prominently displayed outside the doors of the auditorium.
United States Marine Corps veteran Jay Pinette talked about overseeing the restoration of the fallen servicemen’s portraits that once lined the walls of the old Galvin Middle School Auditorium. Pinette said that Boy Scouts from Troop 701 helped package the photos after they were removed from their original spots in the old auditorium.
He said that the scouts “handled the photos in a respectful manner and seemed to embrace the significance of the task at hand.”
JAY PINETTE, Marine Corps veteran, oversaw restoration of fallen servicemen’s portraits now exhibited at the Galvin Middle School. (Mark Sardella Photo)
Pinette noted that the ravages of time had damaged some of the portraits, which range in time from the Spanish American War to the current War on Terror. He recognized Al Pereira of Advanced Photo in North Reading for his work in restoring the photos. Pinette also recognized the late Joseph Bernabeo of BernS Studio, who framed many of the original portraits.
“I found myself looking into the eyes of these men who will be forever young,” Pinette said. “I couldn’t help but wonder more about the men behind these images. What must it have been like here in Wakefield when the news of their loss was received here at home?”
Keynote speaker Chester Paris is a United States Air Force veteran and currently Judge Advocate for Wakefield’s Harry E. Nelson American Legion Post 63. He talked about the impact that some of the recent problems at the Veterans Administration have had on veterans.
“Everyone served and everyone should be treated the right way,” Paris said. “Millions served over the years and many never returned. We fulfilled our promise. All gave some and some gave all. Give veterans what they deserve.”
Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Brian Falvey, talked about how Wakefield serves and honors its veterans.
“I am proud to say that here in Wakefield we strive to serve our veterans as they have served us.” Falvey said. “Our funding for veterans services has more than tripled in the last three years. Especially considering the sacrifices of those pictured in the display outside this auditorium, whatever we do to serve our veterans will never truly be enough.”
Rep. Paul Brodeur said that the new Veterans Memorial Auditorium was “a tribute to this community and to the esteem in which you hold your service men and women who have grown up in this town.”
He said that his main purpose for being there yesterday was “to say thank you” to veterans who served in the past and those currently serving.
AIR FORCE VETERAN Chester Paris was the keynote speaker yesterday. (Mark Sardella Photo)
Brodeur paid tribute to John Encarnacao, who passed away on Oct. 31, for his service to the community, the military and for his role in “making sure that the Galvin Middle School got built for the children of Wakefield but also as a tribute to the service men and women of this community.”
He also remembered the late Bill Diamond for his active role in veterans’ organizations.
Rep. Donald Wong said that he was impressed with the new auditorium and with the display of photos of fallen heroes along the wall outside the auditorium.
“Veterans’ Day is a great day to show respect for our service men and women,” Wong said. “But it should not be just one day. We should be thinking about the service men and women every day, because they do not work just for one day.”
State Senator Jason Lewis spoke of the impact that veterans have had on our lives.
“We would no doubt live in a very different world were it not for the great risks that our veterans were willing to take and the many sacrifices that they were willing to make on our behalf,” Lewis said.
Lewis suggested different ways that people can show their gratitude to veterans, like hiring a veteran, sending a care package to soldiers serving overseas or volunteering at a VA soup kitchen over the holidays.
“Or,” Lewis said, “we can simply use the freedoms that we enjoy thanks to our veterans to do something positive to make our community a better place.”
American Legion Post 63 Commander Thomas Collins served as master of ceremonies for yesterday’s observance and Legion members also served as the color guard.
Rev. Matthew Cadwell of Emmanuel Episcopal Church offered the Invocation and the Benediction.
The Wakefield Memorial High School Wind Ensemble under the direction of Thomas Bankert played a medley of the theme songs of all of the military branches and as each selection was played, the veterans of that branch in attendance rose to the applause of all.
The Wakefield Memorial High School Chamber Singers under the direction of Ann Morel performed the National Anthem and “Of Thee I Sing.”
The Wakefield Choral Society under the direction of Joshua Rohde and accompanied by Joseph Beninati performed “Song for the Unsung Hero” and “Eternal Father, Strong to Save.”
Collins recognized Gold Star parent Joseph F. Bellavia, whose son, Staff Sgt. Joseph P. Bellavia, was killed in Iraq on Oct. 16, 2003 while trying to save his patrol.
