Veterans Thanked in Three Services Around the City

By Joseph Domelowicz Jr.

Lynners had three chances to show their appreciation for the sacrifices made by our country’s Military Veterans yesterday, as three separate events were scheduled in honor of Veterans Day.

The City of Lynn’s official Veterans Day Ceremony took place at 11 a.m. at City Hall in the Veterans Memorial Auditorium.

The guest speaker for the event was Swampscott resident Colonel Michael Finer, of the Massachusetts Army National Guard. According to Lynn Veterans Services Director Michael Sweeney, himself a middle east veteran, Finer has served on active duty in Iraq.

“We’re happy to have him,” Sweeney said.

The Lynn Public Schools Band accompanied local singer, Gayle Bastarache, whose father was in the military, providing music for the event and the Lynn English High School Marine JROTC also was on hand..

 “It’s important to come down to events like these to let veterans and their families know that their service is honored and will never be forgotten,” Sweeney said.

In addition to the official Veterans day ceremony at City hall, two other services were also scheduled yesterday.

At 9:30 a.m. at the World War II and Korean War Memorial located in Breed Square was rededicated. The memorial was recently refurbished after years of weather exposure had taken its toll on the monument.

The Polish Legion of American Veterans Post 56 joined with the Disabled American Veterans Edgar F. Gilmore Chapter 64 and the Sgt. Robert D. Guthreau Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6535 to restore the memorial, which was originally established in the early 1950’s by the McDonough Square Associates. Sheehan Monuments and EZ Landscaping, both of Lynn, worked with the Veterans Groups  to restore the monument.

Also, at 10 a.m. Life Care Center of the North Shore, at 111 Birch St., hosted a Veterans Day recognition ceremony.

According to Life Care Activities Director Kim Pierce, about 30 of the center’s residents are veterans. Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy was scheduled to present them with commendations. Prior to the event Pierce said the veterans were to be presented with medallions and each would be wearing shirts with American flags that were made for them.

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