By MARK SARDELLA
WAKEFIELD – A musical performance by Korean War veteran, Wakefield native and local music legend Patsy Zagaria was the highlight of yesterday’s Veterans Day ceremonies in Veterans Memorial Auditorium at the Galvin Middle School.
Hundreds of local residents turned out to honor those who have worn the uniforms of America’s armed forces.
Veterans Advisory Committee Chairman Paul Cancelliere served as master of ceremonies and welcomed those in attendance. After some opening remarks, Cancelliere recognized veterans in attendance from World War II up to the present.
He then introduced Town Council Chair Mehreen Butt, who offered her own words of appreciation to veterans.
“Thank you for honorably serving our nation,” she said, noting that many town employees are also military veterans. Butt then introduced new Town Administrator Denise Casey, who addressed veterans directly.
“Your courage, your sacrifice, your devotion to duty have shaped the very freedoms that we enjoy every single day,” Casey said.
She noted that Wakefield has a proud history of service.
“Our streets, our schools and our community’s soul bear the name of those who risked everything so that we could live in freedom,” Casey said. “We make a solemn promise today and every day that we will never forget.”
She also recognized the families, friends and loved ones of veterans.
“Your love and support make service possible, and we honor you today as well,” she said. “You are also true heroes.”
Wakefield Veterans Services Officer David Mangan presided as the Medal of Fidelity and Medal of Liberty were presented to individuals in attendance. Presenting the medals were State Rep. Donald Wong, Councilor Butt and Cancelliere.
The Medal of Fidelity is presented to the survivors of servicemen who succumbed to service-related injuries or illnesses outside of combat.
The Medal of Fidelity was presented to Pamela Kent, daughter of Vietnam veteran U.S. Army Sargeant Alan J. Simpson. The Medal of Fidelity was also presented to Carmen Croft, widow of Marine Lance Corporal and Vietnam veteran Raymond Croft.
The Medal of Liberty is presented to the next of kin of servicemen who were killed in action or who died in the line of duty.
The Medal of Liberty was presented to John Drew, nephew of Private First Class John Richard Drew, who was killed in action on March 6, 1945 in Rhineland, Germany. The Medal of Liberty was also presented to Anthony Blandini, nephew of Army Private First Class Mario F. Solimine, killed in action on Feb. 28, 1945 in Holland during World War II.
Republic of Korea Deputy Consul General Jeongyeo Kwak presented the “Ambassador for Peace Medal” to two individuals. The Ambassador for Peace Medal began as a special memento presented to Korean War veterans of who returned to South Korea through the “Revisit Program.” The honor has since expanded to veterans who cannot travel the long journey to Korea.
Deputy Consul General Kwak presented the Ambassador for Peace Medal to U.S. Army Sergeant Daniel J. Hern, who served in Korea from 1953-1955. The Ambassador for Peace Medal was also presented to Timothy Johnson, son of Marine Staff Sergeant Norman O. Johnson, who served in Korea from 1951-1954.
Kwak expressed his country’s gratitude to the American servicemen “who were then in their twenties and crossed the Pacific to defend the freedom and liberty of a nation and people they had never met.”
He noted that Korea was then one of the poorest countries in the world, but in the last 70 years has become a democracy and an economic power.
“We owe it to the brave soldiers who crossed the Pacific,” he said. “We never take it for granted. We will remember. We will cherish the sacrifices you have made to defend the freedom and liberty of our nation.”
It was then time to hear from 92-year-old Wakefield native Patsy Zagaria, a Korean War veteran and a local pianist, band leader and influential music teacher.
Zagaria treated the crowd to two numbers on the piano, including “God Bless America,” on which he was accompanied by his daughter, Holly, on vocals.
Following his performance, Cancelliere and Mangan presented Zagaria with a plaque of appreciation for his service as well as a quilt created by the “Creative Hands” group at the McCarthy Senior Center, which makes quilts for veterans.
Zagaria told the audience that while he was serving in Korea, he played before 60,000 people at a U.N. event held in a stadium.
“I thought I would be nervous playing at something like that,” Zagaria said. He admitted that when he arrived to play for a few hundred people yesterday, he realized, “I’m nervous and I hope I do alright.”
Atticus Day, an 8th grade student at St. Joseph School, read the governor’s 2025 Veterans Day Proclamation at yesterday’s ceremony.
Girl Scout Morgan MacRobbie led the Pledge of Allegiance and recited the World War I poem “In Flanders Fields,” by John McCrae
Rev. Brett Johnson of Emmanuel Episcopal Church offered the invocation at yesterday’s observance. Rabbi Micah Becker-Klein of Temple Emmanuel offered the benediction.
Music was provided by the Wakefield Memorial High School Wind Ensemble under the direction of Thomas Bankert and Phil Cataldo. The National Anthem and other songs were performed by the WMHS Treble Choir and Chamber singers under the direction of Ana Morel.
Boy Scouts from Troop 701 posted and retired the colors. Local Girl Scouts presented the Veterans Day Wreath.
Taps was performed by WMHS students Kathryn Sliski and Bailey Quimby.
Following the ceremony, those in attendance were treated to a collation and refreshments in the Galvin Middle School cafeteria.
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