Published in the November 9, 2018 edition.

WAKEFIELD — This centennial ceremony on Veterans Day will be held in the magnificent Veterans Memorial Auditorium at the Galvin Middle School.

The ceremony will open at 11 a.m. with the “Bells of Peace” by tolling an historic firefighters bell 21 times. This nationwide program is designed to honor those American men and women who served one hundred years ago, during World War One. The war ended by an armistice agreement between the warring countries at 11 a.m. on November 11, 1918.

Once again this year, we are pleased to have the vocal talents of the Wakefield Memorial High School Chamber Singers and the Wakefield Choral Society supporting the program. Hector Erinna, the Veterans Service Officer for the Town of Wakefield will be the keynote speaker at this year’s ceremony. We will also have Rabbi Gregory Hersh of Temple Emmanuel offering prayers during the ceremony. Our local Boy and Girl Scout Troops will also be on hand to assist in the ceremony.

We also plan to have two special additions to this year’s ceremony.

Hector has been working with a local family whose relative, Cpl. Andrew P. McLaughlin was killed in action in France during Word War One. Cpl. McLaughlin was never awarded the Purple Heart and we will have members of his family with us to receive this long overdue honor.

We also hope to have some of Wakefield’s Korean War veterans with us to receive the Korean Ambassador for Peace Medal, which is being presented by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea.

The full schedule of events is:

• Bells of Peace: A World War One Remembrance

• Welcome/Open Ceremony – Jay Pinette, Chairman, Wakefield Veterans Advisory Board

• Posting of the Colors by Wakefield Boy Scouts, Troop 701 – American Legion Commander Thomas Collins

• Pledge of Allegiance led by Commander Thomas Collins

• “National Anthem” performed by Wakefield Memorial High School Chamber Singers under the direction of Ms. Ana Morel

• Invocation – Rabbi Gregory Hersh, Temple Emmanuel of Wakefield

• Welcome Remarks – Wakefield Town Council Chairman Peter May

• “We are the Voice” performed by the Wakefield Memorial High School Chamber Singers under the direction of Ms. Ana Morel

• “Armed Forces – the Pride of America” performed by the Wakefield High School Wind Ensemble under the direction of Mr. Thomas Bankert

• “In Flanders Field” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic” performed by the Wakefield Choral Society, under the direction of Kaitlin Donovan, accompanied by Mr. Joe Beninati

• Keynote Address by Mr. Hector Erinna, U.S. Navy Veteran, Wakefield Veterans’ Service Officer

• Wakefield Walk of Remembrance/Pavers and Moment of Silence in Memory of our Fallen Veterans

• World War I Purple Heart Presentation – VSO Hector Erinna

• Korean Ambassador for Peace Medal Presentation – VSO Hector Erinna and Wakefield Girl Scouts

• Closing Prayer – Rabbi Gregory Hersh

• Colors will be retired by the Wakefield Boy Scouts

• Closing remarks and close ceremony – Jay Pinette

• Collation in Galvin Middle School Cafeteria