by Elizabeth Connolly
Hometown Weekly Reporter
Given its role as the unofficial start of summer, Memorial Day may seem to some like a joyous holiday, but it is, in fact, a solemn one. It is a national day of remembrance for those that have made the ultimate sacrifice: giving their lives for their country. Many Walpole citizens honored the day by taking part in or showing up for the annual Memorial Day observance, held on the town common at noon.
The 40 minute service featured a reading of Governor Healey’s 2025 Memorial Day proclamation, the Pledge of Allegiance, the singing of the National Anthem, a reading of the Gettysburg Address, a prayer from local Pastor Anna Flowers, speeches from Veterans Service Committee (VSC) members, and a moment of silence for the fallen. Many town scouting groups were in attendance, as were a myriad of police officers, fire fighters, emergency personnel, local representatives, town officials, the Walpole High School band, and, of course, numerous esteemed veterans.
The guest speaker was VSC member Christian Oster. An Army National Guardsman who served in Iraq, Oster now resides with his family in Walpole. “Looking back, I never really intended to become a soldier. I wasn’t particularly strong, or brave, or smart, or tough. But I did have one trait that served me well: it was a fierce determination that some would describe as bordering along delusional,” Oster told the crowd, many of whom chuckled softly at that. “I loved my time in the National Guard; not only was I serving my country and serving my state in times of emergency, but I had also extended my family by about 160 people. When the time came for our deployment to Iraq, I felt safe knowing that my brothers and sisters had my back, and I was going to do my best to prove that I had theirs as well.”
All in attendance were invited to the VFW on Robbins Road after the ceremony for a cookout.
