SAUGUS — A U.S. Navy veteran and the Historical Society have set out to remind residents that a century ago, the end of the first World War was near.
In recognition of the 100th anniversary of the signing of an armistice that brought the fighting of World War I to an end, commander of the Saugus Veterans Council Steve Castinetti will give a refresher on the history of the war.
“Veterans Day is coming up on Nov. 11 and Veterans Day was established as Armistice Day in recognition of the armistice that was signed in 1918,” said Castinetti. “That tradition carries through 100 years later.”
It’s important for people to be reminded to honor veterans past and present, he said.
The Saugus Historical Society’s meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at 30 Main St. Residents can attend and listen to the lecture for free, according to a statement from Laura Eisener.
Castinetti joined the U.S. Navy in 1969 and served as cryptologic technician and cryptologic officer for more than three decades. He has led the Veterans Commission in many veterans appreciation events, including the parades on Memorial Day and Veterans Day and ceremonies for POW/MIA, Flag Day, and others.
World War I veterans from Saugus have been honored on a wall outside Saugus Town Hall for as long as he can remember. A project that came to fruition in the last five years resulted in Saugus Veterans War Monument.
The park, located at the corner of Winter and Central streets, consists of eight monuments, each representing different wars and conflicts. The black granite monuments honor veterans of the Civil War, Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War and the Global War on Terror.
The monuments were unveiled and dedicated following the annual Veterans Day parade in 2015. A wall at the rear of the site lists the names of Saugus military members past and present. The sprawling list is updated about every two years, said Corinne Riley, a volunteer.
“Retired Navy Captain Castinetti is a dynamic speaker and will give us a stirring account of the world events of 100 years ago,” said Eisner in a statement.
If time permits, photos of local World War I monuments will be shown and a discussion will be held on how soldiers of that time are being remembered.
