ATHOL – On Tuesday, Nov. 11, Athol will host several ceremonies to honor the men and women who have served in the nation’s armed forces.
Veterans Day services will take place in Memorial Hall at Town Hall beginning at 11 a.m.
Prior to the event at Town Hall, the local Veterans Council will hold a series of flag-raising ceremonies at different memorials. The first will take place at 9:45 a.m. at Vietnam Veterans Park on Starrett Avenue.
Ceremonies will follow at 10 a.m. at Phillips Park across from the Uptown Common; 10:15 at VFW Park across from the YMCA; and 10:30 a.m. at Downtown Veterans Park at the corner of Main and Exchange streets.
Veterans Council President Scott Hume will serve as master of ceremonies at Town Hall. Hume will read the poem “Remember the Veterans,” written by Athol native Gordon Briggs, who served as a fighter pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps, 9th Air Force in Europe during World War II.
Briggs flew 52 missions in the cockpit of a P-47 as a member of the 386th Fighter Squadron of the 365th Fighter Group. Briggs, who died July 23, 2011, also served on Athol’s Finance Committee and 15 years as a member of the Athol Royalston Regional School Committee. He was also a member of the Athol American Legion E H Phillips Post 102.
The guest speaker for Tuesday’s event is Staff Sgt. Keith Morris of the Army National Guard. His address will be followed by a wreath-laying ceremony led by members of the American Legion Auxiliary. A salute from the American Legion Post 102 firing squad will take place outdoors, after which taps will be played. Deacon Bryan Lagimoniere of the North Quabbin Catholic Community will offer both the opening and closing prayers.
Organizations participating in the Veterans Day ceremonies include American Legion E H Phillips Post 102, Marine Corps League Pequoig Detachment 1168, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 340, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 46, and American Veterans Post 793.
At the conclusion of the program, refreshments will be served in Liberty Hall at Town Hall, courtesy of American Legion Post 102.
Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.