Published in the June 1, 2021 edition.
By MARK SARDELLA
WAKEFIELD — The rain stopped and the sun even made a brief appearance as Memorial Day ceremonies returned to Veterans Memorial Common yesterday afternoon. However, the morning observance at the West Side Social Club was forced indoors by the rain that was still falling at 10 a.m.
Master of Ceremonies Bill Bloom welcomed those in attendance at the WSSC’s observance.
“On Memorial Day, we honor the heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect our country and the freedoms it instills,” Bloom said. “These brave men and women are the reason this country stands as tall and proud as it does today.”
Bloom introduced Town Councilor Jonathan Chines who spoke of those who “made the ultimate sacrifice to something greater than themselves. May their memory continue to inspire us to serve and to live up to the ideals that they paid the ultimate price to protect.”
WSSC Vice President Marion Dennehy read a statement from club President Ben Schools who was unable to attend yesterday’s ceremony. Schools expressed his gratitude for the gift of freedom that those who gave all have bestowed on the rest of us. “I hope we have appropriately demonstrated that we have earned their gift.”
Bloom then read the names of those for whom memorial trees are planted around Moulton Park. As each name was read, a volunteer sentry placed a bouquet on a table at the front of the hall. As each bouquet was placed, seven-year-old Sasha Natale placed an additional red rose alongside it.
Bloom introduced keynote speaker Peggy Griffin, of the New England Chapter of the Gold Star Wives of America.
She spoke of her late husband, Charlie Sabatier, who was paralyzed by a bullet to his spine as he tried to rescue a wounded comrade on the battlefield during the early days of the 1968 Tet Offensive in Vietnam. She spoke of his frustration returning home as a disabled veteran as he encountered the lack of basic accessibility accomodations. He went on to become nationally known advocate for disabled veterans.
Griffin urged everyone to recognize the veterans of Vietnam and all wars.
“Be sure to say ‘thank you’ for all they have done for our country,” she said. “For those who are gone, be sure to speak their names. They were here. They contributed. They mattered.”
Local singer Carissa Scudieri performed the National Anthem and God Bless America at the WSSC ceremonies.
Veterans Advisory Board Chairman Jay Pinette welcomed a large crowd to the 1 p.m. ceremony in front of the World War II Memorial on Veterans Memorial Common.
“We gather here today to reinforce the true meaning of Memorial Day,” Pinette said. “This is an enduring reminder that freedom is not free.”
After the color guard from Boy Scout Troop 701 placed the flags, Pinette called upon John Bohling of the American Legion to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
Wakefield Memorial High School junior Zachariah Baumhardt sang the National Anthem and Rabbi Gregory Hersh of Wakefield’s Temple Emmanuel gave the invocation.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Memorial Day Proclamation was read by Veterans Advisory Board member and U.S. Army veteran Rob Ettinger.
Pinette recognized Town Council Chair Julie-Smith Galvin for greetings from the town.
“Memorial Day is a time when we pause to remember those who have died in so many wars,” Galvin said. “Each one of use has innumerable freedoms because of their sacrifice.”
She noted that her 20-year-old son had recently gone to interview his grandfather, a Vietnam veteran who never spoke about the war.
“It’s so important to keep those stories alive and to use that as a way to thank all of the veterans and those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country,” Smith-Galvin said.
State Senator Jason Lewis talked about the toll that the recent pandemic took on veterans.
“Our veterans deserve the utmost respect and the highest level of care,” Lewis said. “As we remember our fallen, we must recommit ourselves to caring for those who are still with us.”
State Rep. Donald Wong shared a story about one of his high school classmates who skipped graduation to enlist in the armed forces at age 18, went to Vietnam and never came back. Wong called upon everyone to honor our nation’s fallen heroes during the National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. yesterday.
Rick Jakious, district director for Cong. Seth Moulton, read a statement from the congressman. He asked everyone to pause and reflect on Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice so that their sacrifices are not forgotten.
Wakefield Veterans Services Officer Davis Mangan delivered the keynote speech. The US Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War spoke of the losses suffered by the loved ones of those who died in war.
“War is tragic and horrible and gruesome and miserable,” he said, “and so are the effects that it has on young people. One thing that binds us as Americans is that all of us have had family, friends and neighbors who have given the ultimate sacrifice.”
US Army veteran and Veterans Advisory Board member Paul Canciliere led a group of volunteers in reading the names of Wakefield’s war dead from the Revolution to the Global War on Terror.
“There’s a story behind every name,” Pinette observed after all the names were read.
A poignant moment in yesterday afternoon’s ceremony came when Wakefield Veterans Services Officer David Mangan presented the Massachusetts Medal of Liberty to Jim Scott, brother of US Army Staff Sergeant Gerald F. Scott, who went missing in action during the Korean War and is believed to have died during a death march from South Korea to North Korea. The Medal of Liberty is awarded to the next of kin of servicemen and women from the commonwealth killed in action or who have been declared missing in action. Jim Scott is also a Korean War veteran.
Veterans Advisory Board member Kristi Yentile and Gold Star wife Marion Dennehy placed a Wreath at WWII Memorial in honor of the fallen
“Taps” was performed on bugles by the Wakefield Memorial High School seniors Bianca Zani & Leah Goddard to conclude the ceremony.
