Wakefield turns out to honor war dead

Published in the May 29, 2018 edition.

By MARK SARDELLA

WAKEFIELD — Despite a rather damp and dreary Memorial Day, hundreds of residents turned out to honor fallen heroes at two local ceremonies yesterday.

A light mist was falling as the West Side Social Club’s observance got underway at 10 a.m. on Moulton Field. The longstanding annual observance included the ceremonial rededication and decoration of the 29 memorial trees that encircle the field.

After Patricia Hubbard offered the invocation, master of ceremonies Bill Bloom welcomed those in attendance.

“Memorial Day is a time to reflect on how lucky we are to live in the United States,” Bloom said. “It is a time to remember that there are thousands of men and women who are fighting to defend rights that we take for granted. These brave men and women are the reason that we are able to be here today.”

Bloom introduced Town Councilor Ed Dombroski for the greetings from the town.

Dombroski called Wakefield a town “steeped in strong military honor…and the celebration of the freedoms we enjoy because of the selfless commitment of the men and women we have lost over the many decades fighting for our freedoms.”

As examples of those hard-won freedoms, Dombroski cited the Item’s ability to publish a daily newspaper, the freedom of local residents to go to the polls and vote their choice, the ability of citizens to attend Town Meeting and debate the town’s future and the ability of local children to attend school and be educated and exposed to different ideas and viewpoints.

“Now, much of what I’ve just described is not unique only to Wakefield, but rather uniquely American,” Dombroski said. “This is democracy. This is freedom. These are the ideals our country was founded upon. They are our foundation. And, they remain strong as ever today because of the steadfast commitment of those armed service members we remember here today.”

Bloom next introduced keynote speaker Robert Walsh, a United States Marine Corps veteran who grew up in Greenwood and graduated from Wakefield Memorial High School in 1968. He enlisted in the Marines right after graduation. Over a 40-year military career he was deployed to Iraq, Bosnia and Central America.

Walsh told of his time in Iraq where every Friday he would attend memorial services for recently deceased soldiers before their bodies were sent back home.

“Some things you never get used to and never forget,” Walsh said. “We’ve all gathered here today to remember those who made that sacrifice. Thank you all so much for caring and remembering.”

The town’s Memorial Day ceremony got underway at 1 p.m. in Veterans Memorial Auditorium at the Galvin Middle School.

Jay Pinette, a Marine Corps veteran and chairman of the Wakefield Veterans Advisory Board, served as master of ceremonies.

Pinette singled out for special recognition the six Wakefield residents who died in the Vietnam War: Anthony Velardo, Peter Schram, Peter Rich, John Fitzbibbons, John Legge and Harvey Duhy.

“To our Vietnam Veterans here today,” Pinette added, “we say, ‘Welcome home’ and thank you.”

Tom Collins, commander of Wakefield’s American Legion Post 63, led the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a powerful rendition of the National Anthem sung by Wakefield Memorial High School junior Samantha Prosperi.

The invocation was offered by Rev. Dr. Robert Leroe of First parish Congregational Church, a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel.

Pinette then introduced Wakefield’s new Veterans Service Officer, Hector Erinna, a US Navy veteran. Erinna called upon Stephanie Curran, Wakefield Project 351 Ambassador, to read the Memorial Day proclamation issued by Gov. Charlie Baker.

Wakefield Town Council Chairman Peter May spoke on behalf of the town. He recalled a personal story from his childhood, when he learned that his cousin, U.S. Navy pilot Brian Woods, had been shot down over Vietnam in 1968 and captured by the enemy. He recalled watching on TV as his cousin was released in 1973 as part of a prisoner exchange.

“Memorial Day was different from that day on for me,” May said. “War became real for me.”

State Senator Jason Lewis spoke of those we honor on Memorial Day.

“I believe that one of the most important ways that we can honor their sacrifice is by cherishing our veterans and their families,” Lewis said. As an example of that, he cited the “Brave Act,” recently passed state legislation that expands benefits for Massachusetts veterans.

State Rep. Paul Brodeur told of a Vietnam veteran who cannot bring himself to visit the Vietnam Veterans Monument because it reminds him of friends he lost in the war. He spoke of the grief felt by those who have felt that loss.

“That grief is intense, it’s enduring and it’s very private,” Brodeur observed. “All we can offer is a shoulder, compassion and support.”

Rep. Donald Wong pointed out the fact that 2018 is the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, which was called “the war to end all wars.”

U.S. Army veteran Bill Walsh read the classic World War I poem, “In Flanders Field.”

The keynote address was delivered by U.S. Navy veteran Jason Donovan. He spoke of the battles many veterans face after they leave the service and return home.

“We are losing too many veterans to drug overdoses and suicides,” Donovan said. He remembered his friend and 2007 Wakefield High School classmate Stephen Rowe, a Marine Corps combat veteran who died a few days before Christmas in 2015.

Donovan also remembered those killed in action and their Gold Star families.

“We are a safe and prosperous nation because American men and women shed blood for our way of life,” Donovan said.

Pinette introduced Katherine Maloney a WMHS junior, to read an essay that she wrote for this year’s Memorial Day school assembly. She spoke of being impressed with a veteran who spoke at a Memorial Day assembly when she was an underclassman.

“I hope that one day I can call myself a veteran,” she said. “And I hope that Memorial Day will continue to inspire others to serve this country.”

The Wakefield High School Wind Ensemble provided musical selections throughout the program. Ensemble members Noah Greif and Michelle Maffe played “Taps” to conclude the ceremony.