Veterans feted at traditional ceremonies

Published in the November 16, 2017 edition

By MAUREEN DOHERTY

NORTH READING — The town’s veterans were aptly honored for their role in keeping their country free and proud during their time of service at Saturday’s Veterans’ Day ceremonies.

Moved indoors due to a biting wind and cold temperatures, those in attendance at the Batchelder School were treated to a fully decorated red, white and blue gymnasium created by the school’s entire third grade class for its own special Veterans’ Day assembly on Thursday. The stage was further enhanced by the Flags carried by the Patriot Guard Riders, which is a volunteer group of patriotic citizens, some of whom are veterans, some of whom are not, who upon invitation by families provide an honor guard at the funeral services of veterans.

Veterans’ Services Director Susan Magner left no stone unturned, once again, in assembling a meaningful multi-generational ceremony of guest speakers, patriotic music, reverence and gratitude for those who have ensured the country remains the land of the free and the home of the brave due to their service to their country.

NRHS senior Sam Barrette served as the Master of Ceremonies. Barrette was born on Edwards AFB in California and is the son of retired USAF Colonel John Barrette and Michele Barrette. A singer, swimmer, thespian and ultimate Frisbee enthusiast, he is currently working on his Eagle Scout project and has aspirations to enter the engineering field.

Barrette noted: “This is an historic day and time of remembrance for those valorous Americans who continue to serve today and for those who have served with courage and conviction throughout the generations. Please remember to take time and reflect on the bravery and sacrifices our veterans have made and continue to pray for our warriors and those who continue to suffer from the physical and mental wounds of war.”

Rev. Rachel Fisher, Pastor of the Aldersgate Church, delivered both the invocation and benediction. The NRHS Marching Hornets, led by Drum Major Emily Nearing and Assistant Drum Major Jessica Palazzolo, played a medley of patriotic tunes at various times throughout the ceremony, including John Philip Sousa’s “Washington Post” and “The Thunderer” and Harold Bennett’s “Military Escort.”

The North Reading Police Honor Guard performed the Presentation of the Colors and stood at attention near the front of the stage while the audience was led in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance by North Reading Boy Scout Troop 750, Cub Scout Pack 731, Venture Crew 921 and North Reading Girl Scouts. A moving rendition of the National Anthem by vocalist Tamika Thurston followed.

The winning essay written by NRHS graduate Anthony Tramontozzi on the topic “What the Flag Means to Me” in the 2017 scholarship essay contest sponsored by the North Reading Republican Town Committee (RTC) was read on his behalf by Jeff Yull, a member of the RTC.

Two proclamations on Veterans’ Day were also read. Richard Stratton of the North Reading Company of Minit and Militia, read the proclamation by Gov. Charlie Baker, and Selectman Andrew Schultz read the town’s proclamation on behalf of the board.

There was a full slate of guest speakers.

Town Administrator Michael Gilleberto offered a special thanks to all of the town employees who are veterans or who continue to serve in the reserves. Selectman Kathryn Manupelli, State Rep. Brad Jones Jr. and State Sen. Bruce Tarr each offered their remarks prior to those offered by the honored guest speaker, U.S. Army Major Regina Grant.

Sen. Tarr took a moment to link the valor of modern veterans with that of the country’s original veterans, the Minutemen, recalling last week’s ceremony honoring North Reading’s Company of Minit and Militia, which has worked for over 40 years to honor the town’s original Revolutionary War veterans.

“I was honored to be with Rep. Jones and the Board of Selectmen as they took a moment to recognize our Minutemen and I got to thinking about the fact that our Minutemen always remind us of the fact our country was based on a group of people who stood up and said that we should have freedom. And they never let us forget that a group of brave individuals stood on a field not that far from here, and they faced the greatest army that the world knew at the time. And they said, ‘We pledge our lives and our sacred honor so that this great experiment of self-governance could exist,” Tarr said.

“And every time since that morning, men and women have been called upon to defend that experiment, to defend our freedom. They stepped out of front door on a main street or a back road and said ‘I’m going to stand for the same things that those men and women did.’ And the next generation stood up and said the same thing. And the next generation after that,” Tarr continued.

“And on this morning we think about the fact that it was on 11-11-11 that it was proclaimed that the ‘war to end all wars’ was over. Were it only true that that was the war to end all wars. But it wasn’t. And men and women continue to stand up and walk out their front door, and leave lives that were comfortable… leave their family and friends, and walk into the very face of the terror and danger, and from which many didn’t return and from which many carry physical and emotional scars that never end, because they, too, believed in that dream of liberty and justice and freedom for all. Because while WWI was the ‘war to end all wars,’ we must, unfortunately, work to protect those values,” Tarr said.

In her remarks, Selectman Manupelli noted, “It doesn’t matter where you are born, what era you live in, what culture you grow up in, what city, or state, or country you come from, what political party you align yourself with, or if you don’t, what religion you espouse, or if you don’t, there is one universal truth – we all want to be free. There is also another universal truth: there is no more selfless service than that of our men and women in uniform.

“Every American lives under the freedom our veterans fought for and protected, and our service members continue to protect. Think for a moment, of how different our lives might be, if not for these selfless servants,” Manupelli said.

Manupelli noted that the heroism of the nation’s veterans has also provided freedom for those in other countries and cultures around the world. “We thank you, and we owe you a debt of honor, gratitude and appreciation. Since 9/11/01, we have been in the longest period of continued armed conflict, which continues to this day. Many of our soldiers leave their jobs, friends, and their families at home, sacrificing precious time they could be sharing with loved ones. We have neighbors, friends and families here in our North Reading community in these circumstances. There are regular sacrifices these soldiers and their families make, and today is a day to remember that, and remind ourselves that our veterans made these same sacrifices too.

“Our veterans do not stop serving when they return home. Many continue on in leadership roles, in public safety, public service, and community service, to continue their commitment to the greater good. According to Team Rubicon cofounder Jake Wood, 92 percent of veterans want to continue their service after they take their uniforms off,” Manupelli said.

Major Grant, who began her military career with the Connecticut Army National Guard in 1996 and advanced to Officers Candidates School in 2002 where she earned her commission and was assigned as platoon leader in the 1048th Transportation Company. She served in Iraq and has had a decorated career. Her awards include a Bronze Star and four Army Commendation medals, among others. She has worked in the human services field for over 20 years and has experience helping combat veterans deal with post traumatic stress. She is currently the Veterans Justice Outreach Coordinator in Worcester County.

“Today all across the nation, hundreds of towns are honoring veterans from every branch of service. Today we honor our Soldiers, Marines, Airmen and women, Sailors and Coast Guard. Today we say thank you. And saying thank you today is as important as standing up for them any other day,” Grant said.

“I want to share with you today a story of a soldier I served with who exemplified selfless service. Sergeant Richard Ford was raised in Connecticut and couldn’t wait to join the Army. He was one of those soldiers who just ate, breathed and slept the Army. He told me after about 10 years as a Guardsman that he was going active duty. Because he wanted to become a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Infantry Division, he would have to take a reduction in rank but he didn’t care. He was destined to serve in the Army’s most elite and strategically mobile divisions in the military.

“Time flew by and Ford eventually earned his rank back to become a squad leader within his platoon. After 50 plus jumps and two combat tours while serving valiantly, Sergeant Ford’s body took a beating. After a series of injuries and surgeries, he worked hard to recover; to become fit for duty because his unit was activated again. Ford refused to stay back and not lead his men. In 2007, while on a search and cordon mission in Sadr City, Iraq as he was positioning his soldiers to ensure their safety, Sergeant Ford was killed in action by an enemy sniper,” she continued.

“When I spoke to his platoon leader one week later in Iraq after attending his memorial service, I was told that Sergeant Ford was the best soldier to serve within his platoon. For him, service meant duty, honor, country and he paid the ultimate sacrifice in service of these values. This is what it means to be a veteran,” Grant said.

“That is why it is so important that we take opportunities like today to show appreciation for their sacrifices. By choosing to attend this Veterans’ Day observance, you demonstrate that you too believe in our founding father, President George Washington, when he said, “Soldiers may expect considerable assistance in recommencing their civil occupations from the sums due to them from the public which must and will most inevitably be paid.”

“So in a culture today where we hear questions about disrespect to our military, anthem protests and criticisms of our nation’s leader, one thing remains clear: Our servicemen and women serve and defend the Constitution of the United States from all enemies, foreign and domestic, because we love our country just like Sergeant Ford,” Grant concluded.

Following a moment of silence as the North Reading Company of Minit and Militia lay a wreath at the podium, Taps was played by NRHS trumpeters Hugo Wiberg IV and Laura Wagner, followed by the band playing “God Bless America.”

After the ceremony a reception was held in the cafeteria and cider, coffee and doughnuts was served.