Published in the November 12, 2019 edition.
By MARK SARDELLA
WAKEFIELD – U.S. Marine Corps veteran Jay Pinette, chairman of the Wakefield Veterans Advisory Board, welcomed hundreds of local residents to Veterans Memorial Auditorium at the Galvin Middle School promptly at 11 a.m. yesterday for the town’s annual Veterans Day ceremonies.
“Every year, at the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, we gather to recognize the heroes among us and to remember those we have lost,” Pinette said. “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.”
He thanked veterans and active service military personnel “for bravely doing what you are called to do so that we can safely to what we are free to do.”
Pinette introduced Town Council Chairman Edward Dombroski, who noted that Veterans Day is a day to reflect upon and show appreciation and respect for the sacrifices made by veterans and their families.
“This very place in which we gather today, Veterans Memorial Auditorium, at the 4-Star General John R. Galvin Middle School, is an homage to the strong military tradition of our Wakefield community and the respect we hold for our service members,” Dombroski said. “Although a small town, we have a mighty impressive history of dedicated service members who called Wakefield home. We should take great pride in their service and be guided by their bravery and dedication.”
Addressing veterans in attendance, Dombroski said, “We will never forget your service. And, we will always be there in service to you.”
Pinette called upon Sophia Vaca, a scout from Troop 701, to read a Veterans Day proclamation from Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker.
Next, Pinette introduced State Representative Paul Brodeur, who called Massachusetts’ commitment to veterans and veterans’ services “the best in the country.” That is largely because it is a nonpartisan issue, he noted, with Democrats like him working hand-in-hand with Republicans like Rep. Donald Wong to do right by veterans.
Brodeur singled out Wakefield for special praise.
“The reputation of this community as one that stands up and honors its veterans is among the strongest in the state,” he said.
Pinette introduced the day’s keynote speaker, Wakefield’s Veterans Service Officer David Mangan. Pinette noted that Mangan is a decorated United States Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War.
Mangan recalled the time that he was asked to speak to a class at his alma mater, Boston College, about his experiences in Vietnam. He expected to address a class of about 25, and was taken aback when it turned out to be an auditorium full of students.
Having never spoken to a crowd that size, he reminded himself, “Let those who cannot be here today speak through me.”
“I say that again today,” Mangan said, “because today is the day we remember both the living and the dead and those who sacrificed so we can have so much. Our veterans stand ready with the strength of our support to secure our dreams and our future.
“So, today we thank and appreciate the Marines, Army, Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force. They are one team, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. God bless America.”
Wakefield resident and Korean War veteran Elmer Maxwell was honored at yesterday’s ceremony. Mangan presented the Korean Ambassador for Peace Medal to Maxwell, who served from 1951 to 1953 in the Meteorological Weather Station at the headquarters of the 5th Air Force in Seoul, South Korea. Pinette read a letter from the Consul general of South Korea calling Maxwell “a hero who answered the call to defend the freedom and democracy of the Korean people.”
At the conclusion of the presentation, those in attendance gave Maxwell an extended standing ovation.
Music for yesterday’s Veterans day ceremony included the National Anthem performed by the Wakefield Memorial High School Treble Choir under the direction of Ana Morel.
The WMHS Chamber Singers under the direction of Ana Morel and accompanied by Jane O’Keefe performed “Let Freedom Ring!”
Under the direction of Thomas Bankert, the WMHS Wind Ensemble played “Armed Forces – the Pride of America,” a medley of theme songs from the Marines, Army, Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force. As each theme was played, veterans from that branch of the military stood to the applause of those in attendance.
The Wakefield Choral Society under the direction of Kaitlin Donovan and accompanied by Joe Beninati performed “Let Freedom Ring” and “America the beautiful.”
Boy Scouts from Troop 701 served as color guard and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Reverend John Dale, Pastor of the First Parish Congregational Church (and a US Army veteran) offered the opening invocation and the closing prayer.
