MIDDLEBORO — On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, 106 years after an armistice was declared to bring an end to the “war to end all wars”, Middleboro took a moment to honor its veterans. 

Salutes, songs and words of gratitude filled the air of the Town Hall auditorium during a recognition ceremony held to thank local veterans for their service at 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 11. 

The ceremony was preceded by a parade that weaved through the streets of downtown Middleboro. Cars, marching bands, local pageant winners and representatives of a variety of groups including the Middleboro Elks, the Middleboro Girl Scouts and the Veterans Council,  honked horns, beat drums and waved flags as they marched before crowds filled with onlookers of all ages, including many smiling veterans. 

Seven-year-old girl scout Cheyanne Greene knew exactly who she was honoring as she marched with resolution at the head of her troop. 

Veteran’s Day is about celebrating veterans, who “help us and protect us,” she said. It’s about thanking them because “they’re nice to us and we need to do something nice back.” 

For the second year in a row, the Veteran of the Year award was given out during the ceremony. This year the award was handed to Paul Kreitzburg, who has provided twenty years of volunteer service to Middleboro on the Veterans Council, the Oak Point Veterans Association and the Middleboro Honor Guard, as well as other groups. 

Kreitzburg was unable to attend the ceremony due to health complications. His wife Phyllis accepted two certificates of appreciation, one from the town and one from the state, on his behalf. 

“He never expected anything like this,” said Mrs.Kreitzburg of her husband. “It’s a wonderful honor.”

She would be bringing the awards to her husband in the hospital, she said. Eventually, she hopes to display them “in a prominent place at home.” 

Middleboro Veterans Agent Steve Adelman said the purpose of the Veteran of the Year award is to show gratitude for those “that have served and are still serving the community.” 

This was the first year that a local organization also received recognition from the town for its role in supporting veterans. The first Veterans Service Organization award was given out to Lorna Brunelle and The Burt Wood School of Performing Arts. 

Brunelle was thanked for the “time, talent and resources” she gives to make events honoring service members throughout the year shine, said Middleboro Town Manager Jay McGrail. 

Brunelle recruited former American Idol finalist Ayla Brown to sing the national anthem at the opening of this year’s Veterans Day ceremony.

Robert Burke, District 10 Commander of the American Legion, left behind a resounding message for military men and women to conclude his speech: “We will never forget you,” he said.