Anytime, anywhere, thank a veteran.
They deserve every bit of gratitude and then some for this great, American life of freedom and opportunity.
Taking pride in who we are as a nation has gone out of style, but being proud of those whose courage and sacrifice make it possible for our country and society to be all that it can be will forever wear well.
Thursday, November 11, is Veterans Day. The Bells of Peace will ring that day at 11:00 am in many communities including the local area, and Tri-Town Veterans Service Officer Christopher Gerrior is on a mission to make sure that no branch, no generation, and no location of military service is any less honored come Veterans Day.
“Our living veteran population is a snapshot of our country’s demographics, world events, and public policy,” said Gerrior. “We still have a few veterans who fought in World War II, and they are all over 90 years old. We have many veterans from the Vietnam era, some who joined and some who were drafted, and they are all over 60. And we are now seeing more and more veterans who joined since 2001, saw sustained deployments over the past two decades, some born after 9/11.
“That age range is large, and the services each veteran needs are different and change over their lifetime. Regardless of when or how they served, we stop on this day and give thanks to all of our veterans.”
In Marion, an 11:00 am Veterans Day ceremony will be held at Old Landing Veteran’s Park on Front Street. Attendees will hear from guest speaker Professor James R. Holmes, Ph.D. of the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. The Sippican School Band, led by Hannah Moore, will perform selections of patriotic music.
In Mattapoisett, guests are asked to gather at 10:45 am for the annual Veterans Day ceremony in Shipyard Park on the waterfront. At exactly 11:00 am, the Center School bell will be tolled 21 times as part of the worldwide “Bells of Peace.” At 11:11 am, the American Flag will be raised, and members of the local American Legion will share prepared remarks.
“We hope that these smaller outdoor events are the right fit for November of 2021 and still appropriate for this solemn occasion,” said Gerrior. “There will be plenty of room for guests to space themselves and feel comfortable and still be able to attend.”
Gerrior said Rochester residents wishing to attend a Veterans Day remembrance event are cordially invited to attend the Marion or Mattapoisett events.
Mattapoisett Congregational Church will also participate by ringing the Bells of Peace and is inviting people to listen from the church lawn at 11:00 am at 27 Church Street.
In addition to the opportunity that Veterans Day presents to citizens compelled to engage this celebration, it is also an opportunity to make sure those veterans are being taken care of. Veterans and people who know a veteran in need are encouraged to reach out.
“If you know a veteran who’s in any kind of need, speak up. We can only help if we’re aware,” said Gerrior. “There are so many programs, both public and private, that solely exist to help veterans. It’s a matter of becoming aware of a veteran’s needs and matching up the best service available to them.”
For more information, contact Gerrior at the Tri-Towns Veterans Office serving Rochester, Marion, and Mattapoisett, located in the Mattapoisett Town Hall, by calling 508-758-4100 ext. 7 or sending an email to vso@mattapoisett.net.
For more information about the Bells of Peace, visit doughboy.org/index.php/activities/bells-of-peace.
By Mick Colageo