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By Laura Drinan
Hometown Weekly Reporter
For the past twelve years, Sherborn has celebrated the town’s veterans and all veterans on November 11 with a morning ceremony to honor and thank the country’s bravest at Town Hall. With speeches from notable people in town, the presentation of colors from the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of Sherborn, the National Anthem sung by the Pine Hill Elementary School Chorus and essay readings from Sherborn students, the veterans in attendance were sure to know that people of all ages appreciated their service.
“In honoring our veterans, we honor people who stepped forward to protect our freedom and way of life. Their military service supports our country, but it comes sometimes at a personal cost,” said Selectman Michael Giaimo. “Some lose their lives or suffer devastating injuries and others may have deferred or disrupted their career plans and had their personal relationships altered. When we think of veterans, we think of a class of people who put servicing their country above all else.”
Neil Mansfield stands with 93-year-old World War II veteran, Pat Crowley, who joined the Sherborn at the annual Veterans Day ceremony.
Giaimo made sure to remind those in attendance that many veterans continue to face hardships even after returning home. With a need for medical help and stacks of paperwork awaiting them, returning veterans have not been treated as kindly as they should. Reportedly, one in three homeless people are veterans, and the current opioid epidemic disproportionately affects those who have served.
“It’s important and necessary and right that we support our returning veterans throughout the year, just as we spend some time today to honor all veterans,”Giaimo reminded the audience.
Dover Sherborn High School student, Oliver Asaker, presents his essay on what Veterans Day means to him at the annual celebration for the town’s veterans.
After an invocation from Reverand Polly Leland-Mayer, presentation of colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the National Anthem, Selectman Paul DeRensis spoke to the honor the veterans in attendance, telling the story of his own father, who served during World War I.
“This was the day – and still is – a day to jump for joy, like we have never jumped before,” DeRensis said, speaking of the end of World War I 99 years ago. “This is a day to cheer at the top of our voices, like we have never cheered before. This is a day to embrace and hug one another, like we have never done before. And indeed, this is a day that my father crossed the divide of No Man’s Land to embrace his enemy in celebration of peace … This was the day that all of those soldiers were going home at last.
While DeRensis brought tears to some of the veterans’ eyes, the ceremony continued, with Neil Mansfield speaking about 93-year-old World War II veteran, Patrick Crowley, who was in attendance for the ceremony. Selectman Charles Yon introduced Sergeant Ray Wiese, who spoke about his service in Grenada in the 1980s.
Pine Hill Elementary student, Lily Page, is presented with a token of appreciation for taking the time to read her essay on the significance of Veterans Day.
Boy Scout leader Mike Kickham introduced Pine Hill Elementary’s Lily Page and Dover Sherborn High School’s Oliver Asaker to read essays they wrote in response to the prompt “What Veterans Day Means to Me.”
With closing remarks from Craig Winderfeldt and the playing of taps by Ethan Lynch, the annual Veterans Day ceremony concluded, marking another year of formally honoring the brave men and women who served.
Boy Scout Ethan Lynch performs the taps to conclude Sherborn’s annual Veterans Day ceremony.
