Fairhaven honors veterans with parade, ceremony

By Beth David, Editor

During the first cold snap of the season, at about 32°, Fairhaven celebrated Veterans Day on 11/11/25 with a parade down Main Street. People bundled up to line the street and attend the ceremony at the high school where they raised the Big Flag and listened to some speechmaking and music.

Mackenzie hung out with her daughters, Mae and Roslyn, eating a donut while waiting for the parade to reach the high school. Mackenzie said her father was Peter Reid, well known for his work at Riverside Cemetery.

“It’s the first time without him,” said Mackenzie. “So it’s a little sad.”

But, she admitted, the donut helped a little.

Guest speaker, SFC Bill Kligel, a 30-year veteran of combined service in the US Navy and Army, gave a little background on himself and his family. Then he gave the background of where all veterans began, noting it is the 250th birthday of the US Army, established on June 14, 1775.

The oldest branch, now the National Guard, started on December 13, 1636, as the Massachusett Militiamen, making it 389 years old. In the 1930’s, the Army reserves formed and the Guard, reserves and regular Army became the “All One Army.”

The newest branch, the US Space Force, was formed on December 20, 2019 as the sixth armed service. Space force was originally referred to as Air Force’s “Star Wars” on March 23, 2983, established by President Reagan. Other branches he noted are: Marines, 11/10/1775; Navy, 10/13/1775; Air Force, 9/18/1947; Coast Guard, 8/4/1790. 

“I took the time to list all our branches so we may remember where our veterans come from and how long we have been around,” said SFC Kligel. “The original term “veterans” was legally determined by the Veteran’s Administration, or VA, for purpose of benefit, and did not include National Guard status until 1980.”

He claims, he said that a veteran is a person who guarantees our future freedom and American way.

“A friend who I now call is my brother or sister in my second family,” he said. “One who knows the torment we seldom speak of and our struggle to never forget the bond that no one or any enemy will ever break.”

He said veterans put trust in each other and brings true love to our flat and our country.

“And when we call them they will always be there to defend freedom,” he said. “We do this freely for all of you.”

Select Board member Natalie Mello also spoke, sharing with the world the struggles her son has faced after being deployed to Iraq.

Ms. Mello recounted some of his childhood, his dreams and activities. Then, he told her “casually,” while she was driving, that he had enlisted in the Army.

“I almost drove off the road,” said Ms. Mello. “I was stunned and very, very afraid. As a parent, I had spent my efforts keeping my children ot of danger, and her he was, walking right into it.”

Ms. Mello gave some examples of her son’s sensitivity.

“I couldn’t imagine the horrors he would be witness to and I desperately wanted to shield him from that,” she said. 

But he was over 18 and had signed a contract.

Ms Mello recounted his first few posts and how they corresponded while he was in basic training and became closer.

Then he went to Iraq, to Camp Cropper, where Saddam Hussein had been held, and where high level detainees were still being held.

“Dan earned more commendations while there but that experience fundamentally changed him,” said Ms. Mello. “I will never know the extent of the trauma that he experienced but it profoundly affected him. All my worst fears were realized.”

Ms. Mello said we often hear about bravery and heroism displayed by military service members for the greater good of our nation. But there are battles that continue long after the unform comes off

Her son served with courage and pride, leaving home ready to make a difference. But the realities of war have left a mark that “words cannot fully describe.”

“It is struggle that no one can truly understand unless they have lived it,” she said. 

PTSD is often a silent battle that affects friends, families and communities.

“And while the wounds may not be seen, they are no less real,” she said. “As a parent, watching my son grapple with PTSD has been heart-wrenching.”

Recovery is a long and difficult journey, she said, requiring patience, support and compassion.

“It’s easy to forget that the scars of war don’t just fade away, and that veterans need more than just thanks,” said Ms. Mello. “They need real support.”

She thanked the veterans there for their service, saying their sacrifice has not gone unnoticed.

“You are seen. You are valued. And we owe it to you to make sure you are not forgotten,” she said.

To all those fighting PTSD, she said they are not defined by their trauma.

“You are defined by your courage, your resilience, and your willingness to keep moving forward, no matter how hard the path may be,” said Ms. Mello. “We will walk this journey together.”

The ceremony also included the reading of the governor’s proclama­tion by Select  Board chair­person, Charles Murphy; an opening and closing prayer; selections by the Fairhaven High School band; bagpipes by Bruce Webb; and remarks from state rep. Mark Sylvia. The public was invited to the senior center for refreshments after the ceremony.

The event will be available soon at FairhavenTV.com under community media. 

•••

Click here to download the 11/13/25 issue: 11-13-25 VetsDay

Support local journalism, donate to the Neighb News with PayPal