November 11 is a significant date in history – for the United States and for the world. At the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918, “the war to end all wars” was officially over when the armistice between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect.
We now annually observe the significance of this date by honoring all veterans of all wars on Veterans Day, which became an official national holiday in 1938.
Each year, Tri-Town honors its vets during two different ceremonies in Mattapoisett and Marion and a dinner in Rochester.
In Mattapoisett, the Florence Eastman Post 280 of the American Legion will host its annual Veterans Day observance at Old Hammondtown School at 11:00 am.
The guest speaker this year is Technical Sergeant Sara D.J. Garde, a decorated veteran who has served in the Armed Forces for over 15 years.
Enlisting in the Army in 1996, Garde then spent three years in the National Guard before joining the Army reserves just after September 11, 2001. She served an 18-month deployment to Kuwait and Iraq in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In 2008, Garde enlisted in the Air Force Reserves as a medical technician and, in 2012, she was deployed to Germany for six months to care for wounded military personnel and civilian personnel. She has since earned her Bachelor’s degree in Practical Nursing technology and is currently the education and training manager of the Aeromedical Staging Squadron at Westover Air Force Base in Chicopee, Massachusetts.
Garde has received 17 military awards and decorations including the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Star Device, and Army Overseas Service Ribbon.
Garde now lives in Mattapoisett.
The ceremony will feature the Old Hammondtown Concert Band and HMS Chorus, a prayer by Chaplain Richard Langhoff, and a speech by State Representative William Straus.
The Town of Mattapoisett will offer free lapel pins to Mattapoisett veterans who attend the ceremony. If any Mattapoisett veterans wishing to receive a pin are unable to attend, they may contact the Department of Veterans Services by calling 508-758-4100 ext. 212.
In Marion, the Benjamin Cushing VFW Post 2425 will hold its Annual Town of Marion Veterans Day Observance at 11:00 am in the all-purpose room at Sippican School.
Belmiro J. Barros, Jr. serves as the commander, and Master of Ceremonies is Colonel Joseph F. Napoli, Ret.
The short program will honor all veterans, past and present.
The Rochester Council on Aging will host its Annual Veterans Day Dinner on Tuesday, November 10 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at the Senior Center located at 67 Dexter Lane. Tri-Town veterans are invited to attend. Attendees must register ahead of time and make a reservation, as every year the event fills to capacity. To make a reservation, contact 508-763-9315.
The Wanderer wishes to thank all the men and women who have served our country and who are currently serving in the military. We would also like to thank the families of veterans and those actively serving in the military for their sacrifice.
*This article has been updated to reflect a change of venue for the Marion Veterans Day observance.
By Jean Perry
