Government

Council Honors Resident Who Served in Afghanistan, Discuss Creating a Memorial for Veterans of War on Terror

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Watertown Town Hall

The Town Council honored Watertown residents who served in the War in Afghanistan with a proclamation, and the idea was raised to create a memorial to those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. On Tuesday night, the Town Council read and approved a proclamation “Honoring Those Watertown Citizens Who Served in The War in Afghanistan.” The proclamation acknowledged the “new generation of service members who joined the military in the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001.” Also, adding that Watertown has over 700 residents who are veterans of the military.

Anthony Basile

OBIT: Anthony Basile, 102, Decorated WWII Veteran, Fought in Battle of the Bulge

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Anthony Basile died at the age of 102. He was a decorated veteran of World War II. A life-long Watertown resident who earned a Bronze Star and a French Legion of Honor for his service in World War II died and made it over the age of 100 died recently. Anthony Basile, 102, of Watertown, passed away on June 14, 2021. Basile was drafted in 1941, before Pearl Harbor, and served in the U.S. Army’s Yankee Division during World War II, said Bob Duncan, who married Basile’s daughter Sandra.

Around Town

Watertown Veterans Gather In-Person to Commemorate Memorial Day

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown veterans salute the Flag during the playing of the National Anthem at the Memorial Day Observance. Memorial Day 2021 in Watertown had more of a normal feeling than last year, with veterans able to gather in person and pay tribute to those who gave their lives serving their country. While the parade was cancelled for the second straight year due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Town’s Memorial Day Observance took place under a tent next to the Commander’s Mansion. “I think the community and everyone else has learned a crash course in what veterans call improvise, adapt and overcome,” said Watertown Veterans Services Officer Patrick George. Last year, members of the Shutt Detachment of the Marine Corps League, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and AmVets organized the place flags on graves of veterans and place wreaths at memorials around Watertown despite the COVID-19 restrictions.

Around Town

Watertown Marine Whose Name is on a Westside Park Died in Vietnam 53 Years Ago

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PFC Richard Moxley, of Watertown, who was killed in Vietnam in 1968. The field next to Watertown Middle School was dedicated to him. Richard Moxley, for whom the field and park next to Watertown Middle School is named, was a quick-witted young man who enjoyed interacting with interesting characters, and decided to forego college to serve his country in the Marines in 1967. He died in Vietnam nearly 53 years ago. Moxley was born on Sept.

Around Town

Volunteers Wanted to Place Flags on Veterans’ Graves for Memorial Day

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In honor of Memorial Day, flags will be placed on the graves of Watertown veterans. The Watertown Veterans Services Office seeks volunteers to help place the flags. Watertown will hold its annual Flag Marker disbursement at Veterans Gravesites on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 beginning at 5 p.m., said Watertown Veterans Agent Patrick George. “Volunteers are encouraged to participate in this honorable event and may join us at Ridgelawn Cemetery or Saint Patrick’s Cemetery,” George said. Due to the current COVID restrictions, participants will be required to wear masks and maintain social distance.

Around Town

Watertown Hosting Poppy Picnic Memorial Day Weekend with Food, Crafts & Military Vehicles

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The following information was provided by the Town of Watertown:

This year the Watertown Veteran’s Office and the Commander’s Mansion are teaming up to host the first annual Poppy Picnic on Friday, May 28th from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. We encourage guests to picnic on the grounds – Donohue’s Bar & Grill and Branch Line are offering special deals and to-go menu items. Chill Wagon will be onsite selling ice cream treats too! 

Green Urb Gardens will be unveiling the design for our future veteran’s memorial garden where you will have the opportunity to vote on its name and purchase a memory brick for a loved one that served in the military. The festivities also include music, a kid’s Poppy craft station and you’ll have the chance to check out a few military vehicles on display! This is a free Watertown community event; reservations are required as space is limited due to Covid restrictions. Here is the online link to the event – Poppy Picnic

Around Town

2021 Memorial Day Parade Cancelled, Several In-Person Events Planned

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The Watertown Provincial Guard re-enactors joined the 2019 Memorial Day Parade. For the second year in a row, Watertown’s Memorial Day Parade has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Town Manager Michael Driscoll announced the cancellation in his weekly Coronavirus update. Veterans Services Officer Patrick George said the move was made based on the State’s COVID-19 restrictions on the size of gatherings. “It wasn’t an easy decision — frankly, when this all started, I thought we’d be back open by LAST Memorial Day — but it’s the safest decision we could make with the current public health data available,” George said.

Around Town

Watertown Remembers Pearl Harbor Attack on 79th Anniversary

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Trumpeter Alan Mannarino plays Taps during the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony at the Watertown Square Dock. The annual Pearl Harbor Remembrance ceremony in Watertown Square drew a couple dozen attendees on Monday morning, despite COVID-19 social distancing requirements. The ceremony marked the 79th anniversary of the attack that drew the United States into World War II. The Town has a special link to Dec. 7, 1941, Veterans Services Officer Patrick George reminded those on hand, and tuning in on Facebook Live.