By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
11/19/09
Many braved a cold, windy Veterans Day morning Nov. 11 to pay tribute to those who have served in battle. Police, fire and clergy, as well as members of the Milton High School band and chorus, were on hand to lead the ceremonial precession from the Town Yard, down Randolph Avenue and Reedsdale Road, to the Town Green, on Canton Avenue, where speeches and prayers reflected the day’s main theme of gratitude. “It’s hard to know how to say ‘thank you,’” said Bob Curry, president and CEO of Curry Hardware in Quincy and the day’s honored speaker. Curry, who spoke of his Marine Corps service during the Vietnam War, for which he received a Purple Heart and the Presidential Unit Citation, said he doesn’t consider himself a former service member but still a Marine at heart. “You’re never a former Marine,” he explained. “I always told my mom my real birthday is Nov. 10,” the day each year the Marine Corps celebrates its birth. This year, Marine veterans from many wars gathered in Boston to celebrate the Corps’ 234th anniversary. Curry was one of those who made the trip to honor the long, storied history of pride and service of Marines. “It was a very terrific day in Boston,” Curry said. “What wonderful men and women we have protecting us. We’ve got some really special, special people.”
Curry said that “from the greatest generation to the latest generation,” Veterans Day is all about remembering that “extraordinary things can be achieved by ordinary people.”
In his opening remarks, Selectmen Chairman John Shields asked the crowd to “please think about those who fought and served so we could be here.”
The Milton High chorus led “The Star-Spangled Banner” as proud Milton Legion Post 114 members hoisted the flag high above the gazebo. Scouts and Brownie troops were on hand to show their support.
Rabbi Alfred Benjamin, of Temple Shalom, who heads the Milton Interfaith Clergy Association, Rev. Thomas Naughton, of St. Mary of the Hills, and Rev. George Welles, of Church of Our Saviour, all directed prayers to veterans of past and present wars.
Naughton’s prayer was directed to “protect our soldiers wherever in the world they are serving. Bring them home safely to their families.”
Milton High School student Benjamin McCarthy read the final orders of Gen. John Pershing.
There were also prayers for those killed in the recent tragedy at Fort Hood, Texas, a shooting that took the lives of 12 service members and one civilian.
Rep. Walter Timilty said veterans act according to a “common purpose to protect our freedoms” and deserve support, not only financially but also through volunteer efforts. He also directed his thoughts and prayers to the victims at Fort Hood.
Timilty added that he was “humbled” to be in the presence of so many veterans and thanked them for their service.
“This is our duty. This is our responsibility,” he said. “Let us never forget this fundamental premise. Our collective gratitude knows no bounds.”