(Spenser photos)
For the first time in two years the city came together to honor its veterans at the Veterans Day Breakfast in the Wiggin Auditorium at City Hall Friday morning.
The mood was upbeat from the get-go thanks to a crew of volunteers, including several city employees and elected officials who enthusiastically treated more than 200 guests to a sit-down breakfast while tunes were cranked out by the Riverside Renaissance Swing Band.
“It was really upbeat and I think that the veterans were really happy to just get together finally,” said Veterans Service Agent Steve Patten. “It’s been four years since we have been able to do that. There were so many happy vets and their families today, so it was great to be able to give them a day like this again.”
State Rep. Thomas Walsh said he was impressed by the turnout and support received from the community.
“This is just an impressive event, including everyone. You have police and fire, all your veterans celebrating all their service and each other,” he said. “And then just having the elected officials and all the people who haven’t really spoken to in a couple of years with the pandemic so this is a really nice event on so many levels. I had the chance to be at yesterday’s North Shore Chamber event at the Marriott so these two days really brought together all the veterans for their service.”
Mayor Edward A. Bettencourt, Jr. kicked off the morning, recognizing the city’s military veterans and their family members, saying their love and support makes their service possible. He said he has been fortunate in his life to have a great family and the honor of being mayor.
“These blessings and so many more are made possible by all of you, the men and women who served our country in uniform,” Bettencourt said. “On behalf of a grateful community and a grateful country, thank you for your service and thank you for your sacrifice.
Every two years, a specific group of veterans is selected to be honored. This year’s breakfast honors Peabody residents who served during the Gulf War era, including Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, according to Bettencourt.
Special commemorative coins depicting the city seal on one side and representation of the Gulf War era on the other.
“Peabody has a proud tradition of honoring those who have served our country in uniform,” Bettencourt said. “The coin and indeed this breakfast are just small tokens of the profound love and gratitude we feel for our Gulf War era veterans and for all of our honored military veterans.”
Bettencourt touted the many services the city provides to veterans and members of the military, including the annual Memorial Day observance and parade as well as assistance to help veterans receive services such as transportation and other benefits to which they are entitled to.
The breakfast tradition began in 2012 when World War II veterans were specially honored. In 2014, the city recognized Korean War veterans; in 2016, Peabody’s female veterans were celebrated and in 2018, veterans of the Vietnam War were honored.
Bettencourt concluded his remarks with a moment of silence to “quietly acknowledge those who are currently serving and protecting us here at home and around the world. We pray for them, for their families and for their safety.”
Cpl. Frank J. Schettino, Jr., described by Patten as “just a terrific person, was presented with the city’s 2022 Honored Veteran award.
Schettino served in the United States Marines Corp from 1966-1968, starting at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. In February 1967 he was deployed to Vietnam, where he spent nearly 13 months.
He participated in 14 separate combat operations including 11 confirmed “search and destroy” missions. During his second mission, he was wounded in his left forearm by shrapnel from an explosion. After four days at a medic station, he returned to the front lines and completed nine more search-and-destroy missions.
“He said ‘patch me up I’m going back out there,'” Patten said. “He could have punched his ticket home but he leaned forward.”
Now 78 and still working, Schettino’s contributions were recognized with the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the USMC Combat Action Ribbon, the Purple Heart Medal and the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V.”
“During Corporal Schettino’s time in combat, he fought against immeasurable odds,” said Patten. “During the battles he fought in, there were 337 Marines killed in action, 720 Marines wounded in action and two Marines missing in action or prisoners of war.”
A special treat for Peabody’s residents was seeing the front door to City Hall finally open after being closed since the start of the pandemic.
Walsh said he loved the fact it was open, “welcoming all the veterans. I just love the fact that the front door was open and I wish it was open every day.”
Walsh also noted the significance of Tuesday’s elections in terms of the democratic process.
“Everybody was able to voice and share their opinions at the polls and with each other,” he said. “It’s because of all these veterans here and everywhere defending that freedom, that right to be able to share their opinions and cast their votes.”
Midway through the breakfast, Bettencourt said he was delighted with the return to an in-person celebration.
“This is a special day for us, an opportunity to show our respect for our veterans and be able to do so in person again,” he said. “It’s important for us to show our appreciation. We have a great crowd, the music and some amazing ceremonies with our students so I am just very happy to be a part of this.”
