Government

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

By |

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

By |

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.

Around Town

Pearl Harbor Day Ceremony Will be Held in Watertown Square

By |

The Town of Watertown announced that the annual Pearl Harbor Day observance will be held on Friday, Dec. 7, 2018 at 12:00 p.m.

Watertown’s Department of Veterans’ Services, along with Watertown Veteran’s organizations, will hold a brief “Pearl Harbor Day 2018” observance at the landing above the former wharf in Watertown Square. Please join is as we honor our World War 2 Pearl Harbor veterans on this 77th anniversary. For information please contact the Town Manager’s Office, Town of Watertown, at 617-972-6465

Around Town

Watertown Residents Gather to Honor Veterans Day, Bid Farewell to Veterans Agent

By |

Watertown’s veterans gathered Sunday morning to mark Veterans Day. They also bid farewell to the town’s Veterans Services Officer. 

The celebration of those who are serving and who have served in the United States Military was held at the Pvt. Charles Shutt Detachment of the Marine Corps League on Mt. Auburn Street. Along with the annual events to mark Veterans Day, those gathered bid farewell to Mark Comeiro, who has served as the town’s veterans agent since 2015.

Entertainment

Catch a Big Band Tribute to the Veterans Featuring the World Famous Hal McIntyre Orchestra

By |

The Town of Watertown presents A Musical Tribute to Veterans through the Decade, announced the Veterans Services Office. A free event featuring the World famous Hal McIntyre Orchestra featuring Watertown’s own Don Pentleton Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018 at Watertown Middle School, 68 Waverley Ave., Watertown, from 7–9:30 p.m. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

Pentleton, a Watertown High School graduate, played drums with the Glen Miller Band, the Guy Lombardo Orchestra, and with Skitch Henderson, Ella Fitzgerald and comedians Phyllis Diller, Pat Cooper, Frankie Fontaine, and Georgie Jessel. He now conducts the orchestra. For further information, please contact Mark Comeiro at 617 972-6416 or email mcomeiro@watertown-ma.gov

Entertainment

Musical Tribute to Watertown’s Veterans Features Hal McIntyre Orchestra

By |

The following announcement came from the Watertown Veterans Office:

The Town of Watertown presents A Musical Tribute to Veterans through the Decade. A free event featuring the World famous Hal McIntyre Orchestra featuring Watertown’s own Don Pentleton Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018 at Watertown Middle School, 68 Waverley Ave., Watertown, from 7–9:30 p.m. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

For further information, please contact Mark Comeiro at 617 972-6416 or email mcomeiro@watertown-ma.gov

Around Town

Public Invited to the Watertown Veterans Day Breakfast

By |

The Veterans Services Office provided the following information:

On Sunday Nov. 11, 2018, The Private Charles J. Shutt Detachment Marine Corps League located at 215 Mt. Auburn St. Watertown, MA 02472 will be hosting a Veterans Day breakfast followed by a Ceremonial Observance. The Breakfast will begin at 10 a.m. and the Ceremony will begin at 11:00am.

Around Town

World War II Veteran Who Served on a Navy Destroyer Shares His Story with Watertown Cable

By |

Watertown Cable host Bob Kaprielian recently spoke to a 92-year-old Navy veteran from Watertown for the cable show A Veteran’s Story. Watertown Cable Access TV sent out the following announcement:
Watertown Cable Access presents the story of Signal Man 2nd Class, Rick Erikson, a sailor aboard the USS Lewis Destroyer Escort who served in the Pacific during World War II. A resident of Stoneleigh Road in Watertown, Erikson remembers seeing the United States flag flying over Iwo Jima, one among the dwindling numbers who witnessed the flag. He recounts being in the typhoon that ravaged the U.S. Navy’s fleet off the coast of Okinawa and tells the story of the numerous kamikaze attacks that sank the destroyer just behind the USS Lewis in the picket line. Seaman second class Erikson is believed to be one of only four surviving shipmates on the USS Lewis.