By Beth David, Editor
For the first time in several years, Acushnet held a Veterans parade on Saturday, 11/9/24. Marchers began at the Partings Ways and traveled along Main Street to the Veterans Memorial at Pope Park. Participants included veterans from all branches of the military, fire, police, Boy Scouts, and school groups.
At the Memorial, Acushnet’s Veterans Services Officer, Brad Fish, emceed; Select Board Chairperson Bob Hinckley; and Deven Robitaille, Commander Thomas E. Tuttle VFW Post #7239, Acushnet spoke. Mike Jenney, the Cdr. of the American Legion in Acushnet, read the Veterans Day Poem.
The ceremony included the raising of the flag, laying of the wreath, patriotic songs by the Ford Middle School Chorus, a bagpiper and drummer, the reading of the governor’s proclamation on Veterans Day, and an invocation by Rev. Lori Eldridge. Miss Apple Peach, Madison Cabucio, and and Jr. Miss Apple Peach, Willow Niles, led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mr. Fish also recognized Roland Castonguy, 99, Acushnet’s oldest veteran.
In her remarks, Cdr. Robitaille said she always struggles with what to say when people thank her for her service. Does she say thank you or your welcome? She said her cousin told her to say, “Thank you for your appreciation.”
“I think I’m going to say that for the rest of my life,” said Cdr. Robitaille, and spoke directly to her fellow veterans.
“Appreciate yourself today,” she said. “We’re the only ones who truly understand what this day really means. And it’s a day to celebrate us.”
So go out with friends and family and get the free meals and discounts she said, “Because you earned it, and it’s something only we can truly understand what we did when we served our country.”
Mr. Hinckley told the crowd to remember that behind every uniform there is a person with family, with dreams and with a life that was often altered.
“Veterans are not just the soldiers we hear about in history books,” said Mr. Hinckley. “They are our parents, our children, our neighbors, and our friends.”
He said in every battle there are sacrifices that cannot be measured.
“Yet through it all, veterans stand as symbols of resilience and patriotism,” said Mr. Hinckley. “They remind us of the importance of loyalty, honor, and duty, values that are woven into the very fabric of our nation.”
He said freedom is not free.
“It is earned, through the sweat, sacrifice, and sometimes the blood of those who put themselves in harm’s way to protect the liberties we enjoy every day,” he said. “Our way of life: the right to speak freely, to practice our faith, to live in peach and pursue our dreams, was defended by men and women who believe deeply in the promise of America.”
He urged everyone to support all veterans and let them know their service and sacrifices have not been forgotten.
“You have made America stronger, safer, and the greatest place to live in the world,” said Mr. Hinckley. “And for that we are eternally grateful.”
After the ceremony, Aryanne Gomes said she was there with her children for her brother, Anthony daSilva, an Army veteran who was also there.
Mr. daSilva, who served in Afghanistan, said he like that the town held the parade and ceremony.
“I’m proud of the town and our veterans,” said Mr. daSilva, adding that people should remember the older veterans and the new veterans.”
After the ceremony, Specialist Jose Lopes, HHC 1st Battalion 182nd Infantry, allowed some of the young’uns to sit inside his Humvee M151-A1, that had been in the parade. The public was invited to the VFW for refreshments after.
The parade and ceremony are available on demand on the town’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bg4zFGCpQBs
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- L-R: Veterans, Billy Santos, Gus Cote, and Fremont Duddy, salute the flag during the Star Spangled Banner during the ceremony after the parade at the Veterans Memorial at Pope Park in Acushnet on 11/9/24. Photo by Beth David.
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- Veterans carry the US Flag and the flags of the five branches of the military in the Veterans Parade in Acushnet on 11/9/24, L-R: US Flag, Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard. Photo by Beth David.
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- L-R: Deven Robitaille, Commander Thomas E. Tuttle VFW Post #7239, Acushnet ; and Mike Jenney, Commander, American Legion Post 265, Acushnet, salute the flag after raising it during a ceremony after the parade at the Veterans Memorial at Pope Park on 11/9/24. Photo by Beth David.
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- Andrew Dillon takes a picture of his daughter and wife, Avary and Rebecca Dillon in the Humvee M151-A1 on display after the ceremony and parade at the Veterans Memorial at Pope Park in Acushnet on 11/9/24. Photo by Beth David.
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- Navy Veteran Roland Castonguy, 99, the oldest veteran in Acushnet, reacts to remarks about him and his service at a ceremony after the parade at the Veterans Memorial at Pope Park on 11/9/24. Photo by Beth David.
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Click here to download the 11-14-24 issue: 11-14-24 VetsParadeAcush
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