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Veteran David Savoie, of Saugus, shakes hands with USMC Lt. Col. Thomas Grace following Saugus' Veterans Day ceremony. (Spenser Hasak) Purchase this photo

In Saugus, each branch recognized

Elizabeth Della Piana

by

SAUGUS — The town honored its veterans, braving the crisp, cold weather to salute every branch of the military, as Commander of the Saugus Veterans Council and former Navy Capt. Steve Castinetti called all the veterans up to join him.

Before the program began, a Rolling Rally put together by Guy Moley and his team drove through Saugus.

After the motorcade, Castinetti took his spot at the podium to greet everyone and thank them for coming.

Lifelong Saugonian Terri Osaro sang the national anthem, and the Town’s new veterans’ service officer, SueAnn Cheung, read the proclamation from Gov. Maura Healey.

Castinetti then introduced the keynote speaker, Lt. Col. Thomas Grace.

“He hails from Cherry Hill, New Jersey, and attended Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where he graduated with a bachelor of arts in criminal justice. Upon graduating, he entered the United States Marine Corps through the Platoon Leaders Course commissioning program,” Castinetti said.

Grace served from 1999-2022 in Hawaii, Bahrain, Virginia, Afghanistan, Georgia, Michigan, Massachusetts, and Okinawa, Japan.

Grace served Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom and had several overseas deployments. His final assignment was at the 25th Marine Regiment at Fort Devens in Massachusetts.

Grace earned two Bronze Stars, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, the Army Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.

Before his speech, Grace shouted out all his fellow Marines, as the 250th anniversary of the Marine Corps was on Monday.

“So, I think Ronald Reagan said it best. Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they ever made a difference in the world, but the Marines don’t have that problem,” he said.

He joked that Castinetti “rolled the dice,” asking a “dumb grunt from New Jersey” to come out and give a public speech the morning after the Marine Corps birthday.

“I’m humbled to be here today. It is a day of reflection, gratitude, and pride for all those who have served and continue to serve our nation,” Grace said. “I always get an earful for remembering and recognizing our fallen brothers, confusing Memorial Day and Veterans Day… But I’d like to take a moment to remember those heroes who didn’t come home. Those who sacrificed so we could celebrate.”

He then reflected on service and how those who serve live by it, die by it, and protect it.

“You pray to God (that) you don’t have to use it again. You pray to God (that) you don’t get used to not using it. It’s on your back, even when it’s off your back. I invite you to reflect today on what it truly means to live by our commitment, even long after the uniform is folded away,” he said. “When we stepped on those yellow footprints, raised our right hands, and pledged our allegiance, each of us took an oath.”

Grace noted that the oath they took was more than just words said at a ceremony; it was a lifelong commitment.

“Our commitment is not bound by a contract or the presence and wearing a uniform. It’s a dedication etched into our character. While the physical uniform may hang in the closet or be tucked away in a drawer, its meaning remains woven into the fabric of each of us,” he said.

Those values included honor, courage, respect, integrity, duty, and self-service, and Grace said they continue to shape the choices they make.

“Our military service is not a chapter with a neat conclusion. Instead, it’s a foundation upon which we build our lives in our workplaces, in our neighborhoods, in our families, and we find ways to embody those principles instilled while we were in service,” he said.

Grace spoke on how important it is that veterans lead by example and stay true to the values they’re taught.

“On this Veterans Day, let us celebrate that enduring spirit. Let us remember the oath we swore is never truly fulfilled. It has lived every day in every action and every word. The uniform comes off, but the values remain, guiding us as we strive to build a better world,” he said.

After Grace spoke, Castinetti returned to the podium, where he asked all the veterans to join him, each going one by one to the songs of their branches. He then spoke.

“To understand a military veteran, you must know we left home as teenagers or in our early 20s for an unknown adventure. We loved our country enough to defend it and protect it with our own lives,” Castinetti said. “We said goodbye to friends and family, and everything we knew. We learned the basics, and then we scattered in the wind to the far corners of the Earth. We found new friends and family. We became brothers and sisters, regardless of color, race, or creed.”

Castinetti acknowledged the sacrifices of those who served, including those who did not make it home, and how they share an unspoken bond.

“I commend and thank you all for all you have done and sacrificed for your country. Try to remember the good times, and try to forget the bad times. Share your stories, but most importantly, stand tall and proud, for you have earned the right to be called a veteran,” he said.

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