Iraq, Afghanistan war vet to speak in Marblehead

MARBLEHEAD – A Navy veteran of Desert Storm and the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will be the guest speaker at Marblehead’s Veterans Day observance next Wednesday.Dave Rodgers, the town’s veteran’s agent, told selectmen last week that Navy Cmdr. Stephen V. Burke, a native of Marblehead, will highlight the ceremonies, which begin in the Abbot Hall auditorium at 10:30 a.m. Abbot Hall will open for the event at 9:45 a.m.Burke graduated from Southampton College of Long Island University with a degree in marine science and received his commission as an ensign in 1983 through the Officer Candidate School.In addition to his wartime service, Burke also served as program manager for general officer recruiting at the Navy Recruiting District in Boston and as Navy Liaison Officer for Marine Corps Headquarters, where he monitored more than $19 billion in Navy amphibious ship construction and modernization programs, and helped develop the Marine Corps requirements for two important shipbuilding programs.He currently serves as a faculty member at the Naval War College, where he is also enrolled in the Master’s program.Chaplain Lyman Rollins Post, No. 2005 will be the host organization for the ceremonies.The Marblehead High Choral Group will perform under the direction of Amanda Roeder. Breakfast will be served immediately after the ceremony at the VFW, 321 West Shore Drive.