Lakeville and Middleboro honor hometown heroes at Veterans Day celebrations

Residents across Middleboro and Lakeville spent Veterans Day celebrating and memorializing veterans from the two towns. 

In Lakeville, town officials and residents visited Hitchcock Memorial at Assawompset Elementary School, the Flag Pole and Honor Roll at the Historic Town Hall and the WWI Memorial in Dickran Diran Square.  

About 30 people gathered in Lakeville, including Cub Scouts Troop 14. As they moved through town, participants laid wreaths at each location. 

During the observance, members of the Historical Society shared stories of the memorials and Lakeville veterans. State Rep. Norman Orrall and Lakeville town officials also spoke on the importance of Veteran’s Day and paying respect to the veterans who have served and made sacrifices.

Select Board member Christopher Plonka, an Air Force veteran, said the day was a time to honor and remember the sacrifices of veterans.

“It's important because we can't forget those who have served, those who paid the ultimate price —sacrificing their lives — for the freedom of the country.”

Select Board Chair  Maureen Candito has several veterans in her family, including her ex-husband, father and uncles. 

She said the day is important to her, and she is working to have the town honor veterans beyond Veterans Day, particularly with additional policies and the recent hire of a full time veterans agent.

“It's very personal to me,” Candito said. “Being able to have one day carved out to celebrate them just doesn't feel like enough. We're trying to actively celebrate them in other ways.”

Middleboro celebrated the day with a parade on the streets around Town Hall, followed by a ceremony honoring two resident veterans for their community contributions.

Along with veterans both on foot and in decorated cars, members of the John T. Nichols Middle School marching band, Cub and Girl Scout troops, and town officials walked through town. 

Many parade participants and viewers then gathered in the Grand Ballroom for the ceremony. 

Town Manager James McGrail and Select Board member Thomas White presented a citation of honor from the town to Mary Standish, the veteran of the year, and John Crutchfield's sign business — the veteran organization of the year. Orrall presented each with citations from the Massachusetts House and Senate. 

Standish, an Air Force veteran, said she was inspired to enlist after hearing John F. Kennedy challenge Americans to “ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country”’ in his inaugural address. 

For Standish, a responsibility to serve doesn’t end with discharge papers.  

“When we receive that in our hand, our duty still hasn't stopped. We just do it for the community and we love where we live,” she said. “That's at least why I do it, because I love it.”

Crutchfield, a Coast Guard veteran, said he never expected his business would lead him to being honored by the town. A sign he made for the town over 20 years ago hung on the ballroom stage during the ceremony.

Crutchfield said the day was an important chance to remember everyone who has served in the military.

“Every veteran has paid something toward our freedom,” he said. “Some didn't serve on the front lines and they weren't in hazardous situations, but they were separated from family in places where they might prefer not to be. If you love your freedom, they're the people that gave it to you.”