Colby Rottler is a soft-spoken man. You have to listen carefully when he is speaking in order to catch what he is saying, which tends to be on point.

            We know this from the many years and many meetings we have attended covering Zoning Board of Appeals and Finance Committee meetings of which Rottler has been a member for a mighty long time. He has faced difficult decisions while serving locally since retiring from his 9-to-5 job.

            But on Memorial Day 2023, as town folk assembled in Center School to hear the speeches, the former naval commander was thinking about the sacrifices of others who served the country – heroes he had met in life. Rottler was selected as the guest speaker for the community’s ceremony at the American Legion Florence Eastman Post 280.

            His remarks perused memories of various people he encountered, including Mildred Kilcoyne, a recent graduate in Mathematics from Boston College who joined the Navy as a WAVE, Ensign Steve Young who survived the rollover of the USS Oklahoma, Ensign Elliot Stienman, Marine William Johnson and Lieutenant Mickey Shrock.

            Rottler also spoke of his father, “a young Naval Seabee Construction Specialist … they build runways on Pacific Islands, often jumping behind dozer blades and firing back at snipers.”

            In closing, Rottler thanked Gold Star families and all families who support military personnel, most of all his wife, “…especially my wife of 52 years who supported me through my military career and kept our family safe. Marie, I love you.” Preserving democracy and remembering those who protected the country was Rottler’s message.

            Rottler has an outstanding military background. He is a retired USN Commander who enlisted in June 1965. He completed training at Naval Station at Davisville (North Kingstown), Rhode Island, and was assigned to the Naval Reserve as a radar technician. Rottler also attended Bridgewater State College and earned the rank of Radar Technician Second Class.

            After graduation, he continued his studies, being accepted into the Naval Aviation Flight Officer Program and then on to Pensacola to attend aviation officer candidate school with Marine drill instructors.

            After flight training in 1972, he reported to Patrol Squadron 23 at Naval Air Station in Brunswick, Maine, where Rottler was designated Mission Commander, Tactical Coordinator and Detachment Officer. He was deployed to the Mediterranean, North Atlantic and European areas, conducting antisubmarine operations.

            By 1975, Rottler reported to Patrol Squadron 92 at Naval Air Station South Weymouth, where he held positions in training, tactical maintenance and operations. In 1997, Commander Rottler was selected to command Patrol Squadron 92, flying the P3 Orion Submarine Hunter Aircraft. He deployed to South America, Europe, the Pacific, Iceland and Africa. His squadron also supported operations during Desert Storm. Rottler retired in 1991 from the Navy.

            And there is more! Rottler harbored an interest in culinary arts. Thus, long after he retired from military service and professional positions, he enrolled in Johnson and Wales where he earned a degree in Culinary Arts. He’d go on to teach at Upper Cape Regional Technical High School primarily in Food Safety Practices.

            Also present for Monday’s ceremony were the color guards from the Mattapoisett Fire and Police Departments, Representative William Straus, members of the Legion and the Select Board, as well as students whose participation seemed to underscore the meaning of the day – serving to protect our nation and the generations to come.

            Other highlights of the Memorial Day Observances included New Bedford High School ROTC Cadets presenting and retiring the colors in crisp procession. Select Board Chairman Jodi Bauer spoke of the passing of two much loved veterans and Mattapoisett hometown residents Howard Tinkham and George Randall.

            Tinkham’s long career as an educator and farmer and Randall’s annual oration of the Gettysburg Address were heartfelt memories, Bauer shared. She said that during each Select Board meeting, after the members pledge allegiance to the flag, they bow for a moment of silence to thank those who gave all and those who served or are serving our country. “That’s what I’m doing, I’m saying ‘Thank you.’”

            Straus noted the importance of remembering the sacrifices made by all, even those we never knew. He said that General Logan of Civil War fame was primarily responsible for early displays of commemoration in late spring with what would be called Decoration Day for many decades. Today it is Memorial Day, celebrated this year on May 29. He said that although we can never know all those who made the supreme sacrifice, it is important to remember them all. It still has relevance in these modern times.

            Local youths lent their voices and talents as the Center School band played favorites, including the “Star Spangled Banner,” and Andrew Porter recited the Gettysburg Address. Reading the governor’s proclamation was Geneva Gerrior of Old Colony Regional Vocational-Technical High School.

            The day’s festivities included a short march from the school to the library, where flowers and wreaths were laid at the Civil War and WW1 monuments, and then another journey of remembrance to the wharves where floral arrangements were placed in the harbor in honor of all who died at sea.

            Memorial Day 2023 was organized in partnership with the Tri-Town Veterans Office with Agent Chris Gerrior and Dianne Sweeney. Master of ceremony was Rachel Peron, Commander of the American Legion Florence Eastman Post 280.

By Marilou Newell

            Editor’s Note: The Wanderer is sharing keynote addresses as spoken by guest speakers at this year’s local Memorial Day observances.

Sharing Stories of Our Heroes

Memorial Day in Mattapoisett

By Colby Rottler, Retired U.S. Navy Commander

            Good afternoon. I am Colby Rottler, a retired Navy commander. Before I begin, I would like to recognize guests here today, Veterans Service Agent Christopher Gerrior, Representative Mr. Straus, members of the Mattapoisett Select Board, members of the American Legion, members of the Color Guard and the ushers, members of the Old Hammondtown Band, the principal and staff of the Center School. Thank you for being with us today.

            For those who served in the military, Memorial Day holds a great and revered significance as it commemorates the brave men and women who served and lost their lives defending our great union. We honor the sacrifices of fallen service members who put their lives on the line for our nation.

            At the core of our military lie unique themes, the selfless desire to serve and the willingness to sacrifice to defend our nation and people. It is a day all Americans should take a moment to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

            These women and men answered the call to serve and defend our country with courage, dedication and selflessness, knowing the risks were great but the cause greater. The respect and admiration we give our fallen veterans and pay tribute to their memories and the lives they lived.

            We do so by visiting their grave sites or placing flags, wreathes or other mementos at memorials in our community. But their final resting place should not be the only space we gather to share memories or sit in quiet contemplation. To truly honor their lives, we must share their stories with others and ensure their memories live on, even though they are gone.

            I will share the memories of heroes I have met.

            Mildred Killcoyne, a young woman, recent graduate in mathematics from Boston College, joined the Navy as a WAVE. She went to Washington and worked on a secret plan to solve the Japanese and German codes. She and her team succeeded, saving countless lives. After the war, she taught mathematics in the Randolph school system and was awarded a medal from President Clinton when her work was declassified.

            Ensign Steve Young survived the rollover of the USS Oklahoma. One of a few who escaped, his stories of his shipmate bravery are inspiring. He was rescued from the overturned ship and three days later was on another ship to fight in the Pacific.

            Ensign Elliot Stienman, executive officer of a fleet tug at Pearl Harbor, witnessing the carnage, retrieved his newly issued USN Colt 45 and with luck hit a low-flying Japanese “Zero” and shot it down.

            William Johnson, a Marine who received a battlefield commission, was part of the first wave on Iwo Jima. He said to me that God spared him to do greater things that day.

            Lt. Mickey Shrock, my flight commander, he was exercising and just laid down and passed on active duty. A great officer, brave, talented and always missed.

            My father, a young Naval Seabee construction specialist who drove road building equipment, building runways on islands in the Pacific during the war, he and his team often had to jump behind the dozer blade and fire at the snipers in the area.

            Many women and men did not return, but the ones that did went back to their lives, working, getting married, raising children and being great Americans. Our debt to the heroic and valiant women and men in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. The willingness of America’s veterans to sacrifice for our country has earned them our lasting gratitude.

            America will never forget their sacrifices. Because of these sacrifices, justice and freedom casts its glory across the horizon.

            Oh, there is one other group that I would like to thank, the Gold Star families, the veterans here today, the veterans’ families who support them who are here and every person here who supports our veterans.

            Especially my wife of 52 years who supported me through my military career and kept our family safe. Marie, I love you.

            Thank you all for listening to me ramble on with my thoughts, and God bless all of you and God bless America.

            Thank you.

            Rochester is one of the oldest communities in the state and tends to have a unique patriotic spirit.

            That patriotic spirit was in full force down the Mattapoisett River on Memorial Day, where more than 40 paddle boats weaved their way 13 miles toward a family-fun-cookout finish line on Route 6 in Mattapoisett.

            This Memorial Day event, a unique celebration from one of the first Massachusetts towns to declare war on the British, has been happening since the 1930s. The event was canceled during the World War II years, but nothing has slowed it down since – not even the Covid-19 pandemic.

            Event Organizer Art Benner said the event has been opened to kayakers and a boat-building group from Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical High School. He hopes to draw more interest from kids at local schools.

            Benner and Rochester Select Board member Paul Ciaburri said at one point, close to 80 boaters were participating. Covid-19 has cut those numbers in half. Benner said that over the past few years, the event participation is trickling upward, with around 40 participating on Monday.

            “It’s a great thing for young people,” Ciaburri said, noting that it is a volunteer-run event and a great way to get involved in the community.

            Generations of families competed against each other. Some looked to form dynasties. Chelsea Allen of Spencer and Megan Lewis of New Bedford won their third consecutive first place in the Women’s Division, finishing 25th overall. They were awarded the Bill Watling Memorial Trophy.

            Others sought to resurrect old glory days or reinvigorate a family tradition.

            Peter MacGregor and Matt Buckley were the first due to float their way toward the Route 6 overpass where onlookers were cheering them on.

            MacGregor started earlier than his sons Ian and Eli. Peter MacGregor said he was happy that his boys did not pass him along the river – a sign of a slow pace. However, he and Buckley couldn’t quite match the elapsed time of the MacGregor boys. Buckley and Peter MacGregor came in fourth place with a time just above two hours and three minutes. Eli and Ian finished second overall with a 2:01:04 record. These 20-year-olds edged out their dad Peter.

            Peter MacGregor, surrounded by friends, was still all smiles after the event. He said he has been competing since 1974, starting when he was 10 and never missing a race. He will celebrate his 50th boat run next year. His rowing partner Buckley summed it up best, “Once you start, you can’t back out.”

            Bill Watling III can relate to that sentiment. After he and partner Daniel Rittenhouse finished in under two hours with a time of 1:57:35, Watling was looking at the leaderboard. Before discovering that he indeed won with Rittenhouse, Watling said it represents his seventh, consecutive first-place finish.

            “It’s a fun, old tradition,” he said. Watling has been participating for 22 years.

            Watling seems to take the tradition seriously, putting in 40 hours of paddling time before Memorial Day.

            Coming in third overall behind the Watling team and the MacGregor boys were Dana Barrows and Paul Milde, both of Mattapoisett.

By Jeffrey D. Wagner