Around Town

Group that Sends Care Packages to Military Personnel May be Grounded by Change in Mail Rules

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For 20 years, Operation American Soldier has been sending out a piece of home to men and women serving in the U.S. Military overseas from Watertown, but the pipeline of care packages appears to be coming to a sudden halt with a change in rules for shipping packages to military bases. Co-founder Wendy Rocca recently learned that the flat-rate boxes used to send the care packages will soon no longer be available, and the rates will be much higher. “It was $15.30 (per box) at the Christmas-time rush. It was $14 and change for the rest of the year,” Rocca said. “Now we do not have the flat rate.

Around Town

Watertown Putting Together Veterans Day Tribute, See How You Can Contribute

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Veterans Services Office:

Everyone knows a Veteran. Whether it’s your son, daughter, cousin, friend, or neighbor: everyone knows a Veteran. This year, Watertown Veterans’ Services is partnering with The Dorothy and Charles Mosesian Center for the Arts to publicly display everyone’s support for the Veteran in your life. Between Nov. 2 and Nov.

Government

Veterans, Seniors Can Apply for Property Tax Work-Off Program

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The following information was provided by the City of Watertown:

The City is offering the Property Tax Work-Off Program to Watertown homeowners who are Veterans or aged 60 and older. This program allows for up to ten residents a $1,500 deduction from their property tax bill in exchange for 100 to 105 hours of work for a City department, from July 1, 2022 until March 1, (Based on $14.25 (2022) or $15 (2023) per hour State minimum wage for all positions.)

To qualify for consideration, applicants must complete the attached application and be:

• Age 60 or older and Retired; OR a Veteran

• Own and occupy the property for which the taxes are deducted

• Applicant’s skills must match those needed by the participating City departments. Past projectshave included: computer data entry, helping to run Zoom programs, answering phones,administrative tasks and projects for the Library, City Hall, Schools Recreation, Veterans orPublic Health Departments, or for the Senior Center. • The City gives preference to individuals whose annual income is 300% of the 2022 FederalPoverty level or less ($40,770 for single, $54,930 for married couple), and who are new to theprogram, and then other applicants will be considered if slots are available. Copies of most recentincome tax returns will be requested to verify income.

Around Town

Watertown Recognizes National Vietnam War Veterans Day

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Charlie BreitroseA giant American Flag flies over the moving Vietnam Ware Memorial at Gore Place in 2016. Watertown held the first annual National Vietnam War Veterans Day on March 29. The City Council declared the day by passing a proclamation during the March 22 Council Meeting. At the meeting, Watertown Veterans Services Officer Patrick George said the day was about 50 years in the making. Servicemen and women who served in Vietnam did not get the parades or other thanks when they came home, George said.

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.