NAHANT — Town officials and community members gathered at Veterans Park Thursday afternoon to honor the town’s Purple Heart recipients for their service and sacrifices.
A crowd of approximately 200 people had gathered around the park by 5 p.m. sharp to enjoy the festivities and celebrate the heroism and bravery of the service members.
The ten Purple Heart Recipients are as follows: Martin Athy (CPL – 23rd Infantry, Army, WWI); Richard J. Davis (Sgt., Army, WWII); James J. Devereaux Jr. (PFC, Army, WWII); Thomas M. Dooley (Fire Man 2nd Class, Navy, WWII); Thomas C. Johnson (Lt., Navy, WWII); Edward C. Moleti (Sgt., Army Air Corps, WWII); Christie J. Stamos (Cpl., Army, WWII); Louis J. Letourneau Jr. (PFC, Army, Germany/Korea); Arthur I. Sheehan (Sgt. Army, Korea); and Richard R. Davis (LCPL, Marines, Vietnam).
Chair of the Select Board Rob Tibbo welcomed the crowd, saying the celebration was a “proud moment for Nahant.”
He then read the proclamation.
“Whereas people of the Town of Nahant have great admiration and the utmost gratitude for all the men and women who have selflessly served this community and the Armed Forces for the good of all, and whereas, contributions and sacrifices from the men and women of Nahant, who served in harms way in the armed forces, have been vital in maintaining the freedom and way of life enjoyed by our citizens.
“And, whereas, citizens of our community have been killed in action while serving in the Armed Forces, and have been posthumously awarded the Purple Heart for their ultimate sacrifice, whereas the citizens of this community have been awarded the Purple Heart for their bodily sacrifice of being wounded in action while engaged in combat,” Tibbo read.
Veterans Service Officer Jon Lazar then delivered the opening remarks.
“It’s our duty in Nahant to come here today and honor those who have survived and all those who lost their lives in battle to protect our freedom and liberty,” Lazar said. “We are here to share with the Gold Star wives, mothers, fathers, and families the overwhelming sense of their enduring grief.”
He quoted George Washington’s poignant words on serving the nation: “‘The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.’”
Lazar mentioned one of the recipients, Christie Stamos, had recently passed away at the age of 101. “Thank you to the Stamos family for helping keep Christie going,” he said.
Rear Admiral of the U.S. Navy J. Clarke Orzalli read “Old Glory” while the Lynn English High School (LEHS) Marine Jr. ROTC performed the Passing of the Flag.
The National Anthem was performed by the combined choirs of Nahant Village Church and St. Thomas Aquinas Church. Monsignor John McLaughlin, pastor for St. Thomas Aquinas Church, then read the invocation.
The Purple Heart was presented to the family of LCPL Richard R. Davis by Marine Staff Sergeant David Perinchief.
“This medal links us to the ones who are no longer here. … Since the individual was not able to be granted this for his family back then, we will do this now,” Perinchief said. “This is to certify that the President of the United States of America has awarded the Purple Heart, established by General George Washington in New York, Aug. 7, 1782, to Lance Corporal Richard R. Davis, for wounds received in action on July 7, 1967, in Vietnam.”
The LEHS Marine Jr. ROTC performed a Drill Presentation at the center of the huge crowd, spinning and tossing their rifles in the air and catching them with speed and precision.
Rep. Seth Moulton was featured as the Special Guest Speaker.
“Today, on Purple Heart Day, we honor the brave Americans who have borne the wounds of battle, carrying the scars of war, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country,” Moulton said.
He said that as a veteran, he was honored to be celebrating the recipients.
“The Purple Heart is more than just a medal. It’s a symbol of sacrifice, courage, and an unwavering commitment to the values that make America strong,” he said. “For this community, service doesn’t end when you take off the uniform, and neither should our support.”
He continued, saying the mission to support veterans is personal to him and that “it always will be.”
State Rep. Sean Reid was the next to speak.
“I’ve had the honor of getting to know a lot of cities and towns, and Nahant’s love and appreciation for those who have served is truly second to none,” Reid said. “Look at all the people here on a Thursday night — this doesn’t happen everywhere.”
As a show of respect for the recipients, the town and Veterans Service Department worked with the Department of Public Works to hang up banners of each recipient on the poles along the causeway leading into town.
“When you come in, and you see real faces of people who lived in your community, it’s so powerful coming over the causeway,” Reid said. “We need more stuff like this everywhere.”
Lazar said the Purple Heart medal is “a purple, powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by our soldiers, our marines, our sailors and aviators for protecting our freedoms and liberties.”
“The Town of Nahant will always be indebted and grateful to these ten brave men,” Lazar said. “Let it be that we add Nahant as a community who recognizes the valor, bravery and sacrifices of these courageous sons of Nahant. … We are here to show our respect for them.”
American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) member Debbie Croft unveiled the Honor Roll as ALA President Esther Johnson rang the ceremonial bell once each name was called.
The crowd was then encouraged to head over to Nahant Life Saving Station for refreshments and food, courtesy of Brett Henry Catering.
Nahant Board of Selectmen Chair Robert Tibbo welcomes the crowd to the Purple Heart ceremony in town on Thursday.
One-hundred-and-six-year-old veteran Virginia Fiske looks on during Nahants Purple Heart ceremony on Thursday.
The American flag and Purple Heart flag fly alongside the flags of the branches of the military over Nahant.
USMC SF SGT David Perinchief, veterans services director for Beverly, speaks about the significance of the Purple Heart during Nahant's ceremony on Thursday.
Lynn English Marine Corps JROTC member Kyle Furlong salutes following a demonstration during Nahant's Purple Heart ceremony.
Gail Davis and Michael Davis accept a Purple Heart on behalf of LCPL Richard R. Davis during Nahant's Purple Heart ceremony on Thursday.
Nurse Corps LTJG Molly Conlin reads out Nahant's Purple Heart Honor Roll as American Legion Auxilary Post 215 President Esther Johnson rings a bell in their honor.
American Legion Auxilary Post 215 President Esther Johnson rings a bell to commemorate the names on Nahant's Purple Heart Honor Roll.
