ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Members of the unarmed drill team from the Lynn English High School Junior ROTC, from left, Mirelys Feliciano, Yoselin Lopez, Leslie Chinchilla, Kaela Pangilinan and Diana Lopez perform at the Veterans Day ceremony at Lynn City Hall.
By BILL BROTHERTON
LYNN — The city’s Veterans Day ceremony Friday morning was an emotionally powerful tribute to the men and women who have served our country and protected our freedoms.
One by one, Lynn veterans, old and young, walked on stage at the City Hall auditorium, received a commemorative pin from Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy, stood at the podium, recited their name, branch of service and when they served. One gentleman survived the Battle of Iwo Jima, another fought at the Battle of the Bulge. Many veterans tearfully thanked family members who have passed away. A mother spoke to honor her son, who didn’t make it home.
Sobs could be heard over the loud applause. It was incredibly moving.
Mike Sweeney, the city’s director of Veterans Services and a veteran of the Afghanistan war, estimated more than 400 veterans, family members and friends attended the 11 a.m. ceremony. A Boy Scout/Cub Scout troop was on hand to thank veterans and learn a bit of history in the process. Some vets showed up early for a free breakfast of eggs, bacon, potatoes, fruit salad, coffee and OJ offered up by elected officials and volunteers in the jam-packed lobby.
“We are here today to honor our veterans,” said Sweeney. “We honor your service. You don’t serve alone, though. Your family serves with you … and we are here to honor them too.”
The Lynn English High School Junior ROTC gave a terrific drill presentation. The Lynn Public School Band performed a medley of service songs and patriotic tunes. Talented Lynn vocalist Gayle Bastarache stood in front of a huge American flag while leading a sing-along to “God Bless America,” with all attendees saluting or placing a hand over their heart. Younger veterans rushed to help older veterans stand during the Pledge of Allegiance. The Rev. Alphonse Ferreira led the group in prayer. Mayor Kennedy and City Councilor Peter Capano, a veteran, thanked veterans for their service and sacrifice.
Sweeney announced a partnership with the Lowell Vet Center, which counsels veterans and helps those dealing with mental health issues after their active service ends. Beginning in January, a Lowell staff member will come to Lynn to counsel area veterans dealing with combat-related stress who are unable to get to Lowell. It will be by appointment only.
Tiffany Lever, an Afghanistan veteran and readjustment counselor with the Lowell Vet Center, gave a heart-tugging keynote speech about the trauma of having to leave her 2 1/2-year-old daughter with her mother when she was sent to fight in Kosovo in 2011. “I was deployed with my best friend, my husband. We were able to Skype home … but we missed so much of our child’s growing up. It was so very hard returning home. We are taught to put the mission first, but not what happens when we return home … to some not always supportive of our efforts.”
Lever praised the new Lynn-Lowell partnership. “The battle doesn’t end when you return from war. You are often in need of a job, of housing … the readjustment to a normal life is not that easy. You are internally begging for help.”
Sweeney reminded everyone that America has been at war for 15 years, since just after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. “We’re burying far too many young men and women after they get home.”
Bill Brotherton can be reached at bbrotherton@itemlive.com.