From 1776 to today, Wareham salutes its veterans

Main Street was awash in red, white and blue as hundreds turned out for the fourth annual Veteran's Day parade on Wednesday, Nov. 11. 

Stepping off at Besse Park, ending with a ceremony at Centre Park, the parade brought together veterans and military organizations, historical reenactors, student groups, local businesses, community organizations and musical performers all decked out in stars and stripes. 

The theme of this year's celebration was "Honoring Our Veterans 1776-2026," and the patriotic pride was deeply felt from the parade to the ceremony. Both paid tribute not only to veterans, but to America and 250 years of freedom.

The parade's grand marshal was Vietnam War veteran Robert Edward Silvia, a former Marine who served in field artillery from 1969 to 1970. Silvia, a Rochester native who later settled in West Wareham, was recognized for his military service. 

The ceremony's keynote speaker was Coast Guard Capt. Clint Prindle, who reflected on the unity that Veterans Day inspires.

"What makes today worth celebrating is that despite all our differences, despite political vitriol, and everything that makes life sometimes tedious, we all come together on the common precept that our country is worth fighting for," Prindle said.

Prindle, who serves as chief of staff for the Coast Guard's Northeast District, shared that he and his wife, Kimberly, settled in Wareham five years ago after 13 moves during his military career.

"We treasure this nation, our flag, and the communities composing it," he said. "We treasure the men and women who sacrifice so much to protect it."

Wareham High School sophomore Issabella Farias read her winning VFW Voice of Democracy essay, which explored the meaning of being American through the experiences of a neighbor who immigrated from Ireland and served 21 years in the military.

Farias highlighted diversity and opportunity as defining characteristics of America. 

"America's a country made up of people with different stories, who all have different opportunities to make something for themselves," she said.

Select Board chair Sarah Corbitt read a Veterans Day proclamation recognizing the sacrifices of military service members. Other speakers included Erwin Russell, chaplain of the Dudley L. Brown VFW Post, who offered the invocation; Craig Shurtleff, representing the Elks, who discussed the organization's longstanding support for veterans; and Onset Fire Department Chaplain Catherine Giannelli, who explained the history of the poppy as a symbol of remembrance.

The ceremony also featured a reading of the World War I poem "In Flanders Fields" by Wareham High School Key Club Vice President Bryanna Troupe. There were also musical performances by the McGann Marching Band, who played a three-part medley honoring the branches of the military; U.S. Army veteran Steve Ruiz, who sang the national anthem; 9-year-old Avery Nelson singing "My Country 'Tis of Thee"; and taps played by Chris Berg in honor of veterans who died in the past year.

During the closing benediction, Deacon Dave Murphy, chaplain of the Wareham Fire Department and retired Army Spec 5, reflected on the sacrifices made by generations of service members.

"A scripture verse reminds us that a calm sea has never produced a good sailor," he said. "Our country and our veterans have never had the luxury of calm seas. When called upon to serve our nation, these men and women left behind not only family, friends and community—they also left behind dreams, ambitions, hope and their youth."

Murphy concluded with a reminder to honor veterans not just on Veterans Day, but throughout the year.

"We leave today to remember, appreciate, respect and honor our veterans forever," he said.