Swampscott sets June date for Veterans Appreciation Day

SWAMPSCOTT – After several years of planning and raising money, a date has been set for a tribute to area veterans.Swampscott Veterans Agent Jim Schultz said the Veterans Appreciation Day has been scheduled for June 4. He said the event will get under way with a parade that will start in Phillips Park and wind its way to Swampscott High School.John Sacherski, commander of the VFW Post 1240 in Swampscott, said he expects more than 2,000 individuals to participate in the parade.”We’re looking at quite a parade,” he said. “All the VFW Posts and ROTC divisions in the area will be participating.”Schultz said several fife and drum corps will also be in the parade, including the Middlesex County Volunteers.Schultz added Gold Star families from the North Shore will be invited guests of honor and invited to sit on a parade reviewing stand.The parade is scheduled to end at Swampscott High School, where the U.S. Air Force Band of Liberty is scheduled to perform. Schultz said a Black Hawk helicopter and military vehicles will be on display near the high school athletic fields.Fundraising for the event has been under way for almost three years and the committee has raised almost $32,000 of the $40,000 necessary.”This has been in the works for years,” Sacherski said. “Everyone has been working very hard and we want to make this a very special day for veterans and their families.”The committee is still seeking donations to help pay for Veterans Appreciation Day.Donations may be sent to the Veterans Appreciation Committee, c/o Town Hall, 22 Monument Ave., Swampscott, MA 01907. Additional information is available by calling Sacherski at 781-599-1240.