Local communities came together on a chilly Saturday morning to remember the sacrifice made by the nation’s veterans and honor them for their service.
Ceremonies took place across the North Shore and beyond, and many were held at 11 a.m., the time when the Allied Forces and Germany signed the peace treaty ending World War I on Nov. 11.
In Lynn, city and state officials held a complimentary hot breakfast for veterans at City Hall. Among those who served the breakfast were state Rep. Dan Cahill, Essex County Sheriff and a former Lynn police chief Kevin Coppinger, and several City Council and School Committee members. Later in the morning, a formal ceremony was held in the City Hall Auditorium, featuring the Lynn English MCJROTC, Lynn All-City Band, and more.
A ceremony in Lynnfield was held on the town common and featured local Girl Scout troops offering a rendition of “God Bless America,” performances of the national anthem, and the songs for each branch of the military by the Lynnfield High School band, and speech from Staff Sergeant Joseph Tropeano, who talked about his experience in the Air National Guard.
In Marblehead, the town’s ceremony began at Abbott Hall, where U.S. Marine Corps Colonel Josh Bradstreet was the principal speaker and Choral Group Choral Director Andrew Scoglio performed for the public. Afterward, coffee and snacks were served at the town’s Veterans of Foreign Wars post.
Nahant began the day with a meet-and-greet at its American Legion, which featured coffee and pastries. It was followed by a formal ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park, including town officials’ remarks. After the ceremony, a light lunch was served at the American Legion.
In Peabody, city and state officials, including Mayor Ted Bettencourt and state Rep. Tom Walsh, gathered for a ceremony outside City Hall in front of monuments to residents lost in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The event featured a wreath-laying and remarks from Bettencourt, Walsh, and other city veterans officials.
Saugus marked its first Veterans Day at the now officially named and marked Veterans Park at the corner of Winter and Central Streets. The park had long been known as Veterans Park in town but, until this year, did not officially hold the name. Now, a sign similar to those in Saugus Center and Cliftondale Square officially denotes the park. The ceremony drew several town officials, including four of five newly re-elected Selectmen and state Reps. Donald Wong and Jessica Giannino. A display van played a “Salute to the Veterans of Saugus,” featuring a carousel of photos during the ceremony.
In Swampscott, residents packed Monument Avenue for a ceremony featuring remarks from two veterans — Capt. Shane Wilson of the Massachusetts Army National Guard, who served as the guest speaker, and retired major general Paul Hurley, former head of the United States Army’s chaplains and a priest at Saint John’s in town. Town Administrator Sean Fitzgerald and state Rep. Jenny Armini attended the event.
