Around Town

No Parade, But Watertown Cable Broadcasting Memorial Day Ceremony Featuring Veteran Interviews

By |

The COVID-19 restrictions has cancelled the 2020 Watertown Memorial Day Parade, but the Town’s Veterans Agent and Watertown Cable are teaming up to broadcast a live ceremony on Monday. After the parade each year, a ceremony is held next to Town Hall. Veterans Agent Patrick George said he wanted to hold something like that this year, and teamed up with Watertown Cable to put on the live broadcast at noon on Monday, May 25. The featured speaker will be Watertown-native Lt. Col. Stephanie Cooper.

Around Town

Watertown Woman Excited to Enter West Point Military Academy in the Fall

By |

Watertown’s Hannah MacDonald will be entering West Point Military Academy in the fall. She is holding the document informing her of her appointment to the Academy. This fall, high school senior Hannah MacDonald will begin her career at campus that few people from Watertown have ever attended. It’s not Harvard, or Yale or another prestigious college. She will be a cadet at the United States Military Academy at West Point. 

Gaining entry into West Point, or any of the military academies, is no simple feat, and MacDonald had to qualify in ways that those admitted to other institutions of higher learning do not have to worry about.

Around Town

Watertown Veterans Agent Hosting Office Hours at Shutt Detachment

By |

The Marine Corps League Pvt. Charles Shutt Detachment in Watertown. The Watertown Veterans Services Office will kick off a series of office hours for veterans on Jan. 31 at the Shutt Detachement. Watertown Veterans Agent Patrick George decided to hold office hours to give the town’s veterans a chance to speak to him, ask questions and discuss plans for the upcoming veterans’ holidays.

Around Town

Watertown Remembers Attacks on Pearl Harbor

By |

Watertown held a commemoration of the anniversary of the attacks on Pearl Harbor on Friday. The Watertown Fire Department Honor Guard bowed the flags as a wreath was placed in the Charles River. Watertown’s veterans marked the 78th anniversary of the attacks on Pearl Harbor with a ceremony on Friday afternoon. Watertown veterans came out to honor the memory of those lost at Pearl Harbor in 1941. The ceremony took place at the Watertown Dock, in Watertown Square where Watertown’s Veterans Services Officer Patrick George addressed those in attendance.

Around Town

Watertown Hosting Pearl Harbor Ceremony in Watertown Square

By |

Members of Watertown’s veterans organizations talk before the Pearl Harbor Commemoration at the Watertown Dock in Watertown Square in 2017. The Watertown Veterans Service Office sent out the following information:

On Friday, Dec. 6, 2019 from 12:00-12:30 p.m., we will honor those who lost their lives during the Pearl Harbor attacks on Dec. 7, 1941. Please join us as we lay a ceremonial wreath and hold a brief ceremony honoring our fallen service members.

Around Town

Group Raising Money to Provide Dogs to Veterans with PTSD

By |

The Order of AHEPA, Local Chapter #406 will be hosting a dinner dance fundraiser for the Service Dogs for Warriors program at Watertown’s Hellenic Cultural Center. The money will be donated to AHEPA’s program to train PTSD dogs to help veterans. “A specially trained PTSD dog can provide a sense of security, calming effects, and physical exercise that can make a positive difference in the life of those that suffer with post-traumatic stress disorder,” the event announcement said. The event will be held on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019 at the Taxarchae/Archangels Hellenic Cultural Center, 25 Bigelow Ave., Watertown.

Around Town

Watertown to Hold Concert, Breakfast to Mark Veterans Day

By |

The Town of Watertown has two events planned to recognize Veterans Day 2019, including a concert featuring big band music and a breakfast and ceremony. On Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019 from 6-8:30 p.m., The World Famous Hal McIntyre Orchestra, directed by Don Pentleton and featuring Sinatra vocalist, Steve Marvin will perform at the Watertown Free Public Library. The concert will be held in the Watertown Savings Bank Meeting Room. It is open to all veterans and the public.

Government

Town to Pay Property Taxes of Parents of Those who Died Serving in the Military

By |

The Town of Watertown will pay the property taxes for parents or guardians of servicemen and women who died serving in the military, and also increased the amount of property taxes veterans can work off through a Town program. Tuesday night, the Town Council unanimously approved the two programs, which are part of the BRAVE Act which are optional for cities and towns to adopt. The act aims at improving services to veterans and was passed by the State Legislature and signed by Gov. Charlie Baker in 2018. Town Councilor Ken Woodland said the passage of the provisions was another example of how Watertown supports veterans. “I am very proud of this Council and this community,” Woodland said.