Around Town

Watertown’s Flags Retired With Respect During Flag Day Ceremony

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Watertown Veterans Service Officer Patrick George, center, gets help from a Watertown Cub Scout to fold the flag during the flag retirement ceremony. After flying outside for several months atop a flag pole, the American Flag from Watertown’s Town Hall had become worn and was due for retirement. On Friday, it was retired along with a few other Star Spangled Banners during a ceremony at Ridgelawn Cemetery. The event was hosted by Watertown’s veterans groups and Watertown Veterans Service Officer Patrick George as part of the town’s Flag Day observance. “Three weeks ago we celebrated Memorial Day and paid tribute to the people who served their country in the military,” George said.

Around Town

Big Crowds Come Out for 2019 Watertown Memorial Day Parade

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Members of the Marine Corps League Charles Shutt Detachment march in the 2019 Watertown Memorial Day Parade. The streets of Watertown were lined with people waving flags, Monday, to pay tribute America’s fallen service men and women, and watch the 2019 Memorial Day Parade. The annual parade featured local veterans groups, scouts, Watertown Police and Firefighters, bands, military vehicles and much more. Close to 30 groups took part in the parade, with participants coming forward as late as Friday. Participants said the 2019 edition of the parade drew one of the largest crowds in years.

Around Town

New Veterans Services Officer Hopes to Reach More Veterans, Brings in Variety of Experience

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Watertown’s new Veterans Services Officer Patrick George, left, is pictured with Bill Byrne, Commandant of the Marine Corps League Shutt Detachment, and Mark Comeiro previous Watertown VSO and current Andover VSO. Watertown’s new Veterans Services Officer hopes to reach more former servicemen and women, both young and old, to make sure they are getting all the services they are entitled to for serving their country. Patrick George has been working in Watertown for just over two months, and is trying to get settled in Town Hall, and get to know local veterans groups, veterans in town and their families. He has already been busy. In May, he has already given his first budget presentation to the Town Council, helped get a memorial to a Watertown Marine killed in Vietnam approved, and will oversee the Memorial Day Parade for the first time.

Around Town

Watertown Will Mark Memorial Day With Parade, Placing Flags and Wreaths

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Memorial Day ceremonies and the parade will be held in Watertown on Monday, May 27. Watertown will honor its veterans with several events during Memorial Day week. Veterans Services Officer Patrick George announced following schedule. WEDNESDAY 22 May 2019 at 5:00 pm:

Meet at Ridgelawn Cemetery

Flags will be placed at Veterans’ graves at all Watertown cemeteries by Veteran organizations and Volunteers. Interested volunteers should contact the VSO at pgeorge@watertown-ma.gov or 617-972-6416

FRIDAY 24 MAY 2019: Veterans School Visitation:

9:00 a.m. – Watertown High School9:45 a.m. – Cunniff Elementary School10:00 a.m. – Lowell Elementary School10:00 a.m. – Watertown Middle School11:00 a.m. – Hosmer Elementary School

SUNDAY 26 MAY 2019: Morning Services and Dedications:

7:30 a.m. – WWI Memorial Stone – (front of Shutt Detachment)7:40 a.m. – Cottage Street Cemetery7:50 a.m. – Coolidge Square POW/MIA Monument8:00 a.m. – Arlington Street Cemetery8:10 a.m. – Common Street Cemetery8:20 a.m. – Charles River Float8:30 a.m. – World War II Memorial Stone (front of Town Hall)8:35 a.m. – Saltonstall Park8:45 a.m. – Moxley Field (AMVETS Post 14)8:55 a.m. – St.

Around Town

Watertown Marine Killed in Vietnam Will be Honored with Memorial

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Paul Gorman, a Watertown Marine killed in Vietnam, will have a memorial in his name on Main Street at Emerson Road. Paul Gorman was one of the nine Watertown residents killed while serving in Vietnam, but he was the only one who does not have a memorial in his honor. That will soon change, after the Town Council approved creating a memorial square in his name. His sister Bonnie attended Tuesday’s Council meeting where the memorial on the corner of Main Street and Emerson Road was approved. “This is a wonderful opportunity to honor Paul,” Bonnie said.

Around Town

Watertown Native Promoted to Lt. Colonel in Ceremony at Fenway

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Watertown’s Stephanie Cooper recently became a Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Army. She is seen here with Brig. Gen, Joseph B. Berger III

Recently, Watertown’s Stephanie Rose Cooper was sworn in as one of the U.S. Army’s highest ranks, in front of her parents, husband and sons at one of the most iconic spots in Boston. When Cooper learned she would be promoted from Major to Lt. Colonel (two ranks below general) she got choose where the ceremony would take place, and she selected the home of her beloved Boston Red Sox. Brig.

Government

New Watertown Veterans Agent Has Experience Working with Vets, Public Policy

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Watertown has a new Veterans Services Officer who served in the Marines, worked on veterans issues in the State House and has an educational background in government and public policy. Patrick J. George was appointed the Veterans Services Officer starting on March 18, 2019, Town Manager Michael Driscoll announced Friday. George has five years experience in the U.S. Marine Corps as a computer systems administrator. He supervised 10 Marines in day-to-day operations of the information technology (IT) support, managed the integrity of 4,000 computer assets, and implemented technology upgrades for Marine Aircraft Group 24 in Hawaii. He received the Joint Service Commendation Medal for accomplishments related to instruction and development of Afghanistan National Army Soldiers in vehicle maintenance and convoy operations.

Gina Rada

Watertown’s New Veterans’ Services Officer is a Familiar Face

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Watertown’s Town Hall. Watertown’s new Veterans’ Services Officer will be a familiar face to many. Gina M. Rada has been appointed to the position of Veterans’ Services Officer, Town Manager Michael Driscoll announced this week. She succeeds Mark Comeiro, who left for a similar position in Andover. As Veterans’ Services Officer, Rada will be responsible for the oversight of services to Watertown veterans and their dependents.