THIS GRAVESITE in the Lakeside Cemetery honors an American who fought in one of our country’s wars so we can live in the land of the free. (Colleen Riley Photo)

Published in the May 25, 2018 edition.

WAKEFIELD — On Monday we remember those who have died fighting in our nation’s wars.

Memorial Day 2018 ceremonies begin at Moulton Park at 10 a.m. with an event hosted by the West Side Social Club.

The West Side’s program dates back to the end of World War II. At the time, the club members planted young maple trees around the perimeter of the baseball field in memory of eighteen young men, all from this small neighborhood, who made the supreme sacrifice in that conflict.

Every year since, on Memorial Day, the members of the Club gather to re-dedicate those trees. In the years since, 11 more trees have been added to honor Wakefield’s deceased veterans of the Korean, Vietnam, Persian Gulf and Iraq Wars – as well as for all deceased veterans of all wars.

Floral bouquets will be tied around the twenty nine individual trees. A wreath will be placed at the “America’s Tree” in honor of the victims of 9/11 as well as one at the Memorial Boulder, remembering the club’s deceased members.

Bob Walsh is this year’s featured speaker at the West Side event.

Bob grew up in Greenwood and graduated from Wakefield High in June of 1968. That same month he joined the Marines.

Bob has been deployed to Central America, Bosnia and Iraq. In 2014 he was elected to the Wakefield High School Alumni Hall of Fame for his dedication to the United States military.

After over 40 years of military service, Bob retired from the Army Reserves in 2010. He resides in Melrose with his wife, Susan (Reineck) Walsh. Their daughter Kate and her husband Ed Devereaux live in Wakefield and their son Tom and his wife Megan also live in Wakefield with their two children, Avery and Benjamin.

Bob currently works at the State Treasurer’s Office as Veterans Bonus Outreach Coordinator.

All Gold Star families, veterans, friends and neighbors are invited to attend this service. A light collation will be served in the WSSC Anderson Hall at the conclusion of the ceremonies. In case of inclement weather, all activities will be held in the Anderson Hall.

Anyone who would like to “sponsor” a tree to help defray the costs of the dedication is asked to send a donation to the WSSC Memorial Day Fund at 4 Harrington Ct., Wakefield, MA 01880. The suggested donation amount is $30 per tree, but any donation is welcome and appreciated.

The town’s observance begins at 1 p.m. in the Galvin Middle School’s Memorial Auditorium.

Jay Pinette, chairman of the Wakefield Veterans Advisory Board, will welcome those attending in the opening remarks.

Local Boy Scouts will post the colors.

The Pledge of Allegiance will be led by American Legion Post 63 Commander Thomas Collins.

The “National Anthem” will be performed by Wakefield Memorial High School junior Samantha Prosperi.

The Invocation will be given Rev. Dr. Robert Leroe of the First Parish Congregational Church of Wakefield.

Hector Erinna will be introduced as Wakefield Veterans’ Service Officer

A Commonwealth of Massachusetts Memorial Day Proclamation will be presented by Stephanie Curran, Wakefield Project 351 Ambassador

“America the Beautiful” will be performed by the Wakefield High School Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Mr. Thomas Bankert

American Legion Commander Thomas Collins and local Girl Scouts will do the placement of the Gold Star Wreath.

The poem “In Flanders Field” will be read.

The keynote address will be given by Jason Donovan, United States Navy veteran.

“Armed Forces Medley” will be performed by the Wakefield Memorial High School Wind Ensemble.

Taps will be performed by Wakefield Memorial High School students Michelle Maffe and Noah Greif

A benediction will be delivered by Rev. Dr. Robert Leroe.

And the colors will be retired by Boy Scouts.

A collation will follow in the Galvin Middle School cafeteria.