Published in the November 12, 2018 edition.
By MARK SARDELLA
WAKEFIELD — The largest crowd in recent memory turned out yesterday to honor our veterans and they got to witness an outstanding and moving program in Veterans Memorial Auditorium at the Galvin Middle School.
Veterans Day evolved from Armistice Day, which celebrated the end of World War I. Yesterday’s Veterans Day ceremonies opened with the “Bells of Peace.” As part of a nationwide program, a bell was tolled 21 times by Wakefield Fire Lieutenant Sean Curran to honor those American men and women who served 100 years ago, during World War I.
Following the posting of the colors by Boy Scouts from Wakefield Troop 701, American Legion Commander Tom Collins led attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance. The Wakefield Memorial High School Chamber Singers under the direction of Ana Morel then performed the National Anthem. Rabbi Gregory Hersh of Temple Emmanuel offered the invocation prayer.
Jay Pinette, chairman of the Wakefield Veterans Advisory Board and a United States Marine Corps veteran, welcomed those in attendance and offered some historical perspective on Veterans Day.
“We come together every year, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month to recognize the heroes among us and to remember those we have lost,” Pinette said. “We come together to show our appreciation and to say ‘thank you’ to the millions of Americans who have sacrificed and were away from family and friends for months and years at a time. We gather to pay tribute to those who have risked life and limb so that we can live in the land of the free, because of the brave.”
Pinette introduced Girl Scout Michaela Herzog from Troop 66174 to read a Veterans Day proclamation from Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker.
Town Council Chairman Peter May welcomed those in attendance on behalf of the town. May quoted from a speech that President Ronald Reagan delivered at Arlington National Cemetery of Veterans Day 1985 on the subject of those who served their country in the military.
“What they gave us is beyond our powers to repay,” May quoted from Reagans remarks. “They gave up two lives: the one they were living and the one they would have lived. All we can do is remember them and what they did and why they had to be brave for us.”
The WMHS Chamber Singers then performed “We Are the Voice.”
In one of the most moving interludes of the annual Veterans Day observance, the WMHS Wind Ensemble under the direction of Thomas Bankert performed “Armed Forces – the Pride of America,” a medley of the anthems of each branch of the United States military. As their branch’s theme was played, veterans stood at attention to the appreciative applause of all in attendance.
The Wakefield Chamber Singers under the direction of Kaitlin Donovan and accompanied by pianist Joe Beninati performed “In Flanders Fields” and “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
Pinette introduced Wakefield Veterans’ Service Officer Hector Erinna, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, to deliver the keynote address.
Erinna remarked on the humility of the veterans that he sees every day in his office at the McCarthy Senior Center. Often, he said, even as he tries to find them the services to which they are entitled, their attitude is that they don’t deserve anything special.
“Veterans are everyday people,” Erinna said. “Often they just pass us by in life and then just fade away. Don’t let them pass by and fade away,” he urged. “Honor them.”
Pinette noted that Massachusetts is unique in that nearly every town has a Veterans’ Service Officer. He encouraged veterans and their families to contact VSO Erinna.
“Let the word go forth that there is help for veterans,” he said. “They earned these benefits and then some.”
Pinette then read the names of veterans for whom pavers have been added at the Walk of Remembrance next to the World War II Memorial. He stressed that all veterans of any war or of peacetime service are eligible for a paver.
Pinette called for moment of silence in memory of last year’s Veterans Day speaker, local community leader Bill Chetwynd, who died last week.
Erinna returned to the podium for a special ceremony. He explained that he had learned of a local family, the Fitzpatricks, who had a relative, Corporal Andrew McLaughlin, who was killed in action in World War I at the Battle of Verdun, France.
“We are here to correct an oversight,” Erinna said. Cpl. McLaughlin should have received a Purple Heart, and Erinna called Mr. and Mrs. John Fitzpatrick to the stage to accept Cpl. McLaughlin’s posthumous Purple Heart award.
On behalf of Cpl. McLaughlin’s extended family, some of whom were in the audience, Mrs. Fitzpatrick thanked Erinna and the people of Wakefield. She also thanked all the men and women who have served their country.
