Around Town

Watertown Celebrating Being Named a Purple Heart Community

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The Town of Watertown will celebrate being recognized as a Purple Heart Community. Veteran’s Services Officer Mark Comeiro announced that the town will receive the recognition this week, and the ceremony marking the honor will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 5:30 p.m. in front of Town Hall. “Watertown will be recognized as A Purple Heart Community and we will honor all Watertown residents who are Purple Heart Recipients and families of deceased Purple Heart recipients,” Comeiro said. The mission of the Military Order of the Purple Heart is to foster an environment of goodwill and camaraderie among combat wounded veterans, promote patriotism, support necessary legislative initiatives, and most importantly, provide service to all veterans and their families, Comeiro said.

Government

Veterans’ Services Officer Wants to Make Sure Vets are Honored Properly

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Watertown’s new Veterans’ Services Officer has plans to bring things up to date and give the town’s current and former veterans their due. The town has memorialized those who died in this country’s wars, and have acknowledged the actions of servicemen and women by naming squares in their honor. The town’s rolls of honor and the squares could use some upgrading, said Veterans’ Services Officer Mark Comeiro. “I would like to replace the Korean War Memorial with a new upgraded honor roll,” Comeiro said. “Some Korean War veterans are not on the plaque.”

Schools

Eight High School Seniors Awarded Lt. Paul J. Sullivan Scholarships

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On Sunday evening, May 17th, eight local seniors were awarded scholarships from the Lt. Paul J. Sullivan Scholarship Trust. At a reception at the American Legion Hill Post in Waltham, the 47th annual awards were announced, according to an announcement about the scholarships. Paul was a student athlete at St. Mary’s Waltham and Boston College. He was a park instructor in Watertown and briefly taught at the West Jr. High School in Watertown.

Around Town

Watertown’s Memorial Day Observances: the Parade and More!

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Watertown’s veterans groups will hold a variety of events to honor the town’s deceased servicemen and women with events around town this Memorial Day week. Placing of Flags
Wedensday, May 20 at 5 p.m.: Meet at Saint Patrick’s Cemetery
(Rain Date Thursday, May 21)

Flags will be placed at veterans’ graves at all Watertown cemeteries by
Veteran organizations and Volunteers
Veterans School Visitation
Thursday, May 21:

9:30 a.m. – Cunniff School

Friday May 22:

9 a.m. – Watertown High School
9 a.m. – Lowell School
10 a.m. – Middle School
11 a.m. – Hosmer School

Morning Services and Dedications
Sunday, May 24

Veterans Organizations visit these locations and place wreaths, do a reading, play Taps, fire weapons:

8:30 a.m. – Coolidge Square POW/MIA Monument
8:45 a.m. – WWI Memorial Stone – (front of Shutt Detachment)
9:00 a.m. – Charles River Float
9:15 a.m. – World War II Memorial Stone (front of Town Hall)
9:30 a.m. – Saltonstall Park
10:00a.m. – Memorial Service at Saint Patrick’s Church

Memorial Day Week Activities
Monday, May 25

Morning Dedications and Parade:

8:30 a.m. – Cottage Street Cemetery
8:55 a.m. – Common Street Cemetery
9:10 a.m. – Ridgelawn Cemetery
9:30 a.m. – St. Patrick’s Cemetery
10:30a.m – 11:30a.m. – Parade Check-in at TUFTS Parking lot
12:00p.m. – Parade Begins (All Times Are Approximate)

All veteran organizations and parade participants should report to Mark Comeiro, Watertown Veterans Services Officer, between 10:30-11 a.m. at the Tufts Health Care parking lot on Arlington & Grove Streets to form for the parade. The parade will start promptly at noon and proceed down Mt. Auburn Street to Main Street ending at Saltonstall Park with a brief service.

Business

Watertown Restaurant Donating Portion of Checks to Help Veterans

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On Tuesday, March 24, all Halfway Cafe locations – including Watertown – will take part in a fundraiser for Thanks to Yanks. During that evening, diners who present a donation ticket for Thanks to Yanks will have 15 percent of their checks donated to the non-profit group that supports military members, veterans and their families. To get the donation ticket, visit www.Thankstoyanks.org, the Thanks To Yanks Facebook page, or email info@thankstoyanks.org and a ticket will be sent to you. Halfway Cafe is located at 394 Main Street in Watertown.

Government

New Veteran’s Services Officer Comes to Watertown After 20 Years in the Navy

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Watertown’s new Veteran’s Services Officer has more than 20 years experience in the U.S. Navy and served in recent conflicts overseas. Mark R. Comeiro begin working on Feb. 23, announced Town Manager Michael Driscoll. During his time in the Navy, he helped provide support during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. “Mr. Comeiro’s previous duties and educational background have provided him with operational experience in administration, record keeping and confidentiality of soldier’s concerns and problems, as well as, thorough knowledge of policies and procedures in various settings,” Driscoll said in his announcement of the appointment.

Around Town

See Photos from the Watertown Memorial Day Parade

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Watertown came out to salute its veterans and those who have been lost during the Memorial Day Parade on Monday. Despite threat of rain, residents lined Mount Auburn Street and Main Street for the annual event that featured veterans groups and Watertown Police and Fire departments. Youth sports teams, scouts, and local businesses also joined the procession. Attendees were entertained by bands, military vehicles, horses and motorcycles. Riding in the Parade Grand Marshall car were Paul Menton, a World War II veteran who served served in the Marines in the Pacific and served on many town and other boards.