Saugus rededicates school’s memorial

SAUGUS – More than 200 people gathered at the entrance to the Veterans Elementary School on a windy Friday morning to rededicate the school’s veterans memorial after it was lost for more than 10 years.Veterans Council Vice President and Vietnam War veteran Richard Christopher led the effort to re-install the monument after it was removed and placed in storage when the school was rebuilt.Christopher, along with his grandson Richard, unveiled the three-foot high stone to a round of applause from the crowd of veterans, current servicemen and women, town officials and families.”Veterans served this country because of a belief in freedom and justice,” said Christopher. “Yet freedom and justice cannot exist without education, and that is why this dedication is so meaningful. Let us all hope that the youngsters educated at this fine school will cherish the freedom and justice taught here.”After the ceremony, the crowd formed into parade in the parking lot and marched to the playing of the Saugus High School band to Veterans Corner at the intersection of Winter and Central streets for a continuation of the day’s ceremonies.Saugus Veterans Council President and selectmen Steve Castinetti said the monument’s return is important not only for veterans, but for the school itself.”This is the namesake of the school,” said Castinetti. “Veterans Memorial School had this installed when the old school was here. I just think it serves as a permanent reminder that people sacrifice to represent this country. Every day that these kids go to school ? if they happen to look that way it’s going to remind them of the people that have contributed in some manner to the freedom and security we have in this country.”While he was happy to have the stone back in place, Castinetti said he was even happier about the large turnout for the ceremony.”I think the turnout was unbelievable,” said Castinetti. “This was awesome. I didn’t expect this today.”Andrew Holland, 23, has been in the Army National Guard for two-and-a-half years and said he’ll most likely join one of the veterans groups in Saugus when he gets out.”It’s important to come out and show support to my fellow service members and veterans,” said Holland. “It’s a lot of history, you can learn a lot. At some point I’ll probably get into the American Legion.”Capt. Peter Bogdan served in the Army and the National Guard from 1948 and retired in 1990. For Bogdan, re-dedicating the monument served as an “extra impetus” for celebrating Veterans Day.”It’s just too bad that plaques like this get lost and are not properly replaced,” said Bogdan, who also serves on the Saugus Board of Appeals. “But at least it gives us an opportunity to have a re-dedication that brings everybody together on a day like today. Especially with the date 11/11/11, it’s very significant.”Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected]. You can follow him on Twitter @MattTempesta.