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Town's
Memorial Day ceremony honors past and present heroes
By Jay Turner
Citizen Staff
Two victims
of Agent Orange and Jeffrey Gale, the young veteran who lost his
wife to a tragic illness, were among the honorees at this year’s
annual Memorial Day ceremony, which was held Monday morning
under picture-perfect skies at the Canton Corner Cemetery.
 Hundreds had
gathered there following the annual parade, which had made its
way from Canton High School, past the cheering spectators
scattered along Washington Street, and into the part of the
cemetery where the American Legion Walk of Honor and all six war
monuments are located.
“This
program is all about those who gave their lives so we can be
here today, and have freedom of choice, and freedom of religion,
and freedom to follow our dreams,” said Veterans Agent Tony
Andreotti in his opening remarks.
In
introducing Gale, Andreotti briefly shared with the crowd the
27-year-old soldier’s story — how he had served multiple tours
in Afghanistan and Iraq, and how he was trying to build a life
in North Carolina with his wife, Amber, and their two young
children, when Amber unexpectedly died from an illness.
“We can’t
fix it,” admitted Andreotti. “We can’t put any closure on it.
But we can sure as heck try to support him.”
Gale was
given a big round of applause, and after being presented with a
check from the Ladies’ Auxiliary, he thanked Andreotti and the
people of Canton, referencing his father’s sentiments in calling
them all “heroes.”
Also honored
were two local Vietnam veterans who died prematurely from
service-connected illnesses. Tom Doherty and Paul Wiederhold
were both Army veterans who recently lost battles with cancer as
a result of exposure to Agent Orange — Doherty at the age of 57
and Wiederhold at 59.
Andreotti
announced the addition of both names on the Vietnam memorial
bench, located on the site, and Legion Commander Bob Humphrys
presented their families with flowers.
“The war
never ends,” said Andreotti, referring to Agent Orange victims.
“It never, ever ends. It started in 1965 and it’s still going
on.”
Earlier in
the ceremony, Humphrys called out the names of the 77 Canton men
and women who were killed in action, followed by a gunfire
salute from the Canton Police Honor Guard and the playing of
Taps.
The event
also featured brief speeches from Selectmen Chairman John
Connolly, who stated “there is no greater sacrifice one can make
than to die for another,” and state representative Bill Galvin,
who reminded the audience that soldiers didn’t give their life,
that instead it “was taken by people who wanted to see Americans
die.”
The Grand
Marshall for this year’s parade was George Sykes, a World War
Two veteran who survived the Battle of Okinawa, and the founder
of Canton’s funeral honor guard. Andreotti called Sykes, who has
participated in the funerals of more than 300 veterans, “one of
the best guys in the world.”
Other
participants included: the Edward J. Beatty Post 24 Legion band,
which performed the national anthem; Anne Galvin, who performed
a patriotic medley; and Tom Jenkins, who flawlessly recited the
Gettysburg Address. Graham Donlon, Canton’s former veterans
agent, gave the opening and closing prayers.
In his
closing remarks, Andreotti offered hope for a more peaceful
future: “As much as we love ’em [the veterans], we hope there is
a day that we can’t find any. We hope there is a day that the
world is at peace; that conflict will be resolved by election
and discussion; that the veterans office will be closed — that
will be the best day possible.”
Fire Chief Tim
Ronayne, center, and Deputy Chief Charlie Doody, left,
march with other members of the Canton Fire Department.
Veterans march
in the parade.
The daughter and
son-in-law of Paul Wiederhold holding
the flowers presented to them in his memory.
May 29, 2008
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