For more than a decade, Holliston has recognized its veterans with a parade, a wreath laying ceremony, and a luncheon. The 2021 rendition brought back two of the three elements to honor our vets.
Holliston’s WWII veterans laid a wreath at the Veterans Honor Roll. Left, US Army veteran Charlie Nickerson (Holliston’s Oldest Veteran) and right, USMC veteran Bob Hopkins do the honors. Below, Joe Cibotti plays taps as the audience rendered honors to our veterans (past and present).
Some things just happen. Students and teachers from the Holliston Community Childrens’ Center were just in time to add some color to the proceedings.
While all this activity was going on at the Town Hall, approximately 80 veterans gathered at the Holliston Senior Center to enjoy a turkey dinner hosted by the Holliston Lions / Leos.
Good seats were going fast as the honorees assembled.
Lions members worked with the TJ’s staff to get the turkey and fixin’s ready. What is under each of those aluminum covers – you’ll have to wait – like the vets did.
L-R State Senate President Spilka was represented by aide, Momina Haidri, Town Administrator Ahern who had been at Town Hall, beat me across town. Select Board Vice-chair Ben Sparrell was joined by Select Board Clerk John Cronin.
Post 47 Legion Commander Steve Bradford welcomed all, recognized many special guests and got the brief program underway.
Members of the Lions / Leos waited to get down to the business of serving our veterans.
Bobby Blair shared how his curiosity and interest in Holliston’s veterans since the Revolution led him to pen two books that are now on sale. He told of the trek the finished books took to get from Springfield, MA to Holliston.
Ben Sparrell focused on how service is a hallmark of Holliston. It is evidenced in those assembled and others who volunteer to serve the Town. Ben’s grandfather was a proud Seabee in WWII.
A chow line quickly formed and those who served our nation sat down to enjoy the delicious meal. Hopefully saving room for an ice cream with chocolate sauce provided by TC Scoops
As you know, the stage of reopening that cities and towns are allowed to enter currently depends on the risk level they are assigned in weekly public health reports released by the Department of Public Health. Communities need to be designated “lower risk” for three weeks in a row to be allowed to enter Step 2 of Phase III of reopening.
A full week of meetings on the Town’s calendar this week. Of note is the Planning Board’s meeting on Thursday includes a Public Hearing regarding a new proposal for 555 Hopping Brook.
Thanks Holliston Reporter for the coverage.