Around Town

Sacrifices of Veterans Remembered at Memorial Day Ceremony; Importance of Veterans Benefits Discussed

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Members of Watertown Veterans organizations hold the flags during the 2026 Memorial Day Ceremony at Victory Field. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

For former Marine George McMasters Memorial Day gives him mixed feelings, and is a time when he can remember his compatriots who were lost in battle. The Watertown resident spoke during the Memorial Day Ceremony at Victory Field, held after Monday’s Memorial Day Parade. “I have mixed feelings. It’s kind of a sad day for me,” McMaster said.

Government

Veterans Services Being Run by Human Services Director as City Seeks to Fill Position

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Watertown veterans presented the colors during the 2025 Memorial Day Ceremony. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Watertown currently lacks a dedicated veterans services officer, but while the City works to fill the opening the Director of Human Services has taken on most of that role. Jenna Bancroft, the director of the Human Services Department, has been working to get veterans their benefits, and is helping to plan the Memorial Day Parade and related events, she told the City Council at the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget hearing on May 6. In Fiscal Year 2026, the current year, the Veterans Services Department merged into the newly created Human Services Department, said City Manager George Proakis. The City hired Jay Terminiello in October 2025, succeeding longtime VSO Patrick George.

Around Town

Watertown Hosting Poppy Social With Wreath Laying Ceremony, Open House

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As part of the Memorial Day celebrations, the City of Watertown will hold a Poppy Social, with a wreath-laying ceremony and open house at the Commander’s Mansion. See more information from the City’s Events Team, below. Poppy Social: Open House & Wreath-Laying Ceremony

Friday, May 22, 2026 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Commander’s Mansion

440 Talcott Avenue, Watertown, MA 02472

We are pleased to welcome all Watertown Veterans and the general public to join us for the annual Poppy Social! The Watertown Veterans’ Services and City Events Team will host an Open House at the Commander’s Mansion including light refreshments and guided tours of the historic residence located in the Arsenal on the Charles complex. Be sure to arrive by 10:30 a.m. for the Honor and Color Guard wreath-laying ceremony!

Around Town

Watertown Holding Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony

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Watertowns veterans will remember Pearl Harbor with a ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 6. See more information in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below. Please join us on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at 9 a.m. for our Pearl Harbor Ceremony on the Watertown Dock in Watertown Square, behind the Hood Rubber monument along the river.

Around Town

Historical Society of Watertown Offering Historic American Legion Artifacts to the Public

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The following announcement was provided by the Historical Society of Watertown:

Three or more decades ago, when American Legion Post 99 closed, the Historical Society of Watertown acquired a quantity of their documents and artifacts. It is a sad fact that small museums, such as ours, have limited space for proper storage and now that we are slowly cataloging our accumulated collection, it has become clear that while it is appropriate that we keep some of these items, we lack the room to house them all. The next step in cases like this is to offer the items to another appropriate party or organization. Last month, we donated a photo from 1930 to the Shutt Detachment, Marine Corp League, depicting the dedication of the WWI memorial stone out in front of their building at 215 Mt. Auburn St., which was occupied by the American Legion Post 99 at that time.

Around Town

Memorial Day Speaker Says it is Critical to Remember the Sacrifices of Veterans & for All Citizens to Participate in Decisions of War & Peace

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Watertown veterans presented the colors during the 2025 Memorial Day Ceremony. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

After a parade featuring youth sports teams, bands, the Watertown Police and Fire Department, and many more, a newish Watertown resident who devoted his career to military service and military intelligence spoke about the importance of Memorial Day and what all citizens can do to preserve the memories of those who died serving their country. This year, the keynote speaker at Watertown’s Memorial Day Ceremony, held Monday at Victory Field, was Ret. Col. J.D. Williams, who served in the Marine Corps from 1978-2004 as an intelligence officer.

Around Town

Historic Photo Presented to Watertown Veterans Group is a Reminder of a Tradition of Service

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George McMasters, Commandant of the Marine Corps League Shutt Detachment holds the historic photo of the memorial outside the Post. He and Ed Aucoin, right, were presented the photo by Joyce Kelly of the Historical Society of Watertown. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Two of the leaders of Watertown’s veteran groups recently reflected on the sacrifices made by members of the military from town when they were presented a photo of the dedication of a memorial to Watertown servicemen who died in First World War. The memorial still sits outside the Marine Corps League Charles Shutt Detachment on Mt. Auburn Street.

Around Town

Veterans Agent Looks to Spread Word About Programs Available to Former Member of the Armed Services

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Watertown Veterans Services Officer Patrick George reads Gov. Healey’s Veterans Day Proclamation at the Veterans Day Breakfast at the Shutt Detachment. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Watertown veterans came together Monday at the Marine Corps League Shutt Detachment to enjoy some breakfast, socialize, and celebrate Veterans Day. Watertown Veterans Services Officer Patrick George hopes to have more such events in town, and spread information about programs and benefits which are available to vets. Massachusetts recently added to the programs for veterans, George mentioned during his Veterans Day address. “As the Governor’s (Veterans Day) proclamation mentioned, The HERO Act is a new veterans bill passed by the state recently, and it expands veterans benefits,” George said.