Around Town

Those Killed in Vietnam, Gold Star Families Honored at Moving Wall Ceremony

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Four decades after the end of the Vietnam War, tribute was paid to those killed in Southeast Asia and their families during the opening ceremony for the Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall at Gore Place, Thursday night. Hundreds of veterans, family members and patriotic residents turned out for the ceremony at the estate that straddles the Watertown-Waltham line. The ceremony celebrated the visit of the half-size replica of the Vietnam Wall. For many this was the type of honor they felt the Vietnam era veterans deserved at the time. More than 9 million people served during the Vietnam Era, 2.7 million served in country, and more than 58,000 were killed or are missing in action.

Around Town

Those Killed in Action, Gold Star Families Honored Thursday at Moving Wall

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The visit of the Vietnam Veterans Moving Wall officially opens with a ceremony Thursday evening at 7 p.m. which will also honor servicemen and women killed in action and Gold Star Families. The half-size replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C., will be at Gore Place in Waltham starting Thursday and will be on view through Aug. 15. Thursday’s ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. and Watertown Veteran’s groups will take part, said Watertown Veteran’s Agent Mark Comeiro. There will be other ceremonies taking place during the Moving Wall’s visit.

Around Town

Special Veterans Ceremonies Planned for Visit of Traveling Vietnam Memorial

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The Moving Wall, the half-sized Vietnam Memorial, will be at Gore Place from Aug. 10-15, and local Veterans Organizations will take part in ceremonies. 

Gore Place is located at 52 Gore St. in Waltham (just over the town line) and the wall will be located on the back of the property, near the Grove Street entrance. Each ceremony will have a particular dedication as follows:

Opening Ceremony, Thursday, August 11 at 7 p.m. Dedicated to those Killed in Action and Gold Star Families

Friday, August 12 at 7 p.m. Dedicated to MIAs, POWs and Their Families

Saturday, August 13 at 2 p.m. In Honor of All Vietnam Veterans

Sunday, August 14 at 2 p.m. In Honor of Our Active Duty Military

The organizers request and welcome the participation of all Veterans Organizations at any of our scheduled ceremonies. “Specifically we would like your membership to be in uniform (or if it is too hot to wear your hat) and be part of the procession to open each of these ceremonies,” the announcement reads.

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Veteran Shares His Experiences in Vietnam on Watertown Cable Show

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A Watertown veteran shares his story of service in the Vietnam War and recovering from post-traumatic stress disorder on the latest episode of A Veteran’s Story, hosted by Bob Kaprielian. A Veteran’s Story featuring SP4 Bob Quimby, US Army, who served in the Vietnam War during TET offensive. Bob was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge as well as the Purple Heart. After returning home from Vietnam, Bob was diagnosed with PDSD. Bob shares his story about dealing with PDSD and his recovery.

Around Town

Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall Coming to Gore Place in August

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The traveling replica of the Vietnam Memorial, known as the Moving Wall, will be on display at Gore Place this summer. Watertown Veterans Agent Mark Comeiro said the wall would be on display in August, and on one of the days Watertown will take part in ceremonies surrounding the wall. Color guards from the Watertown Police and Fire departments will be involved along with veterans groups, he told the Town Council. The wall is a half-size replica of the memorial in Washington, D.C., which lists the names of those killed in the Vietnam War. There are actually two Moving Walls, according to the Moving Wall website.

Around Town

This Week’s Observances of Memorial Day Around Watertown

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Watertown’s veterans groups have a whole host of activities planned to observe Memorial Day. 

WEDNESDAY, May 25, 2016 at 5 p.m.: Meet at Saint Patrick’s Cemetery and Ridgelawn Cemetery

(RAIN DATE THURSDAY MAY 26th, 2016)

Flags will be placed at veterans’ graves at all Watertown cemeteries by Veteran organizations and Volunteers

THURSDAY, May 26, 2016: Veterans School Visitation:

9:30 a.m. – Cunniff School

FRIDAY, May 27, 2016: Veterans School Visitations:

9 a.m. – Watertown High School

9 a.m. – Lowell School

10 a.m. – Middle School

10 a.m. – Hosmer School

SUNDAY, May 29, 2016: Morning Services and Dedications:

8 a.m. – Cottage Street Cemetery

8:15 a.m. – Coolidge Square POW/MIA Monument

8:30 a.m. – WWI Memorial Stone

8:45 a.m. – Common Street Cemetery

9 a.m. -Charles River Float

9:15a.m. – WWII Memorial Stone

9:20 a.m. – Saltonstall Park

9:30 a.m. – Ridgelawn Cemetery

9:45 a.m. -St. Patrick’s Cemetery

10:00 a.m. – Memorial Service at St. Patrick’s Church

MONDAY, May 30, 2016: Morning Dedications and Parade:

10:30a.m – 11:30a.m. – Parade Check-in at TUFTS Parking lot

12:00p.m. – Parade Begins (A ceremony will take place at Saltonstall Park after the parade)

Around Town

Watertown Veterans Office Seeks Volunteers to Place Flags on Vets’ Graves

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The annual Flag Marker Disbursement at Veteran Gravesites will be held on Wednesday, May 25, announced Watertown Veterans Agent Mark Comeiro. Watertown will hold its annual Flag Marker disbursement at Veterans Gravesites on Wednesday May 25 th , 2016 beginning at 5 p.m.

If anyone would like to volunteer to assist in this honorable event, please meet at Ridgelawn Cemetery, on Highland Avenue in Watertown.

Around Town

Veterans Agent Looking for WWII, Korean War Vets for Free Trip to Washington

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Veterans Agent Mark Comeiro seeks veterans from Watertown to join an all-expense paid Honor Flight to Washington D.C. to see the World War II and Korean War memorials and see other sights. 

Comeiro is looking for people to join the trip in September. The deadline is approaching fast, however, so interested veterans must sign up by Monday, April 25. Veterans or family members can come down to the Veterans Services Office in Town Hall, 149 Main St. in Watertown during business hours or call Mark Comeiro at 617-972-6416. Honor Flight New England was started in 2009 by Joe Byron, a New Hampshire resident when the group joined the national Honor Flight network.