Around Town

UPS Foundation Helping Group That Sends Care Packages to Troops

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The UPS Foundation recently presented a donation to Operation American Soldier, which packs and sends care packages to American servicemen and women. The group’s base is at the Marine Corps League Shutt Detachment. The following announcement was provided by the UPS Foundation:

Operation American Soldier received a $10,000 grant from The UPS Foundation, which drives global corporate citizenship and philanthropic programs for UPS (NYSE:UPS). The grant will be used towards building repairs for our facility. We will especially be focused on repairing our front walkway and steps.

Air Force

Watertown High Grad Enlisting in U.S. Air Force

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Watertown’s Brett Sutherland, center, poses with his parents Linda and Wayne after he was sworn in as a member of the U.S. Air Force. Watertown High School graduate Brett Sutherland is not the only member of the Class of 2019 to go join the military after graduation. A number are going into the Marines, including his cousin Max Bunnell, but Sutherland decided to go another direction and join the United States Air Force. As he was nearing the end of high school, Sutherland said that he did not really think about applying to college. “I never felt like school was for me,” he said.

Around Town

Watertown Honors Fallen Marine by Dedicating Square Near his Childhood Home

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The sign proclaiming the intersection of Emerson Road and Main Street a memorial to Pvt. Paul Gorman, who was killed in Vietnam 1968, was unveiled Friday by Veterans Services Officer Patrick George. Gorman’s sister and brother, Bonnie and Bob, had a front row seat. Around 100 people gathered on a quiet side street off Main Street Friday afternoon to pay respects to one of Watertown’s own who was killed while serving with the Marines in Vietnam in 1968. The Town of Watertown officially dedicated the corner of Emerson Road and Main Street as Private Paul James Gorman Memorial Square on Friday morning.

Around Town

Ceremony Planned to Dedicate Square to Watertown Marine Killed in Vietnam

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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. Watertown will honor a Marine who died in Vietnam by dedicating an a square in his name in July. The Town of Watertown will formally recognize the intersection of Emerson Road and Main Street as “Private First Class Paul James Gorman Memorial Square” on July 12, 2019 at 11 a.m., said Watertown Veterans Service Officer Patrick George. Residents are invited to join us in appreciation for PFC Gorman’s service to his country; as well as show support to his family members that will be in attendance. Gorman began his tour on May 4, 1968.

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.