After replacing the American Flags at the graves of Veterans this spring, just ahead of Memorial Day, our Guests and Colleagues were honored, July 8th, by Mayor Stephen Zanni for their service to the Veterans of Methuen who have been laid to rest. Check out pictures from the event below (photos courtesy of Jennifer Myers) and their flag replacement story as your scroll down.
For more than a decade now, our Colleague Joe Robichaud has brought a team from American Training to do something very special at the cemeteries throughout Methuen. Each spring, in early May, Robichaud and his team spend a day replacing the American Flags, worn and tattered from braving Winter’s worst, at the graves of each local Veteran, with a bright crisp new Flag.
Then when families throughout the area visit their loved ones on Memorial Day, each grave of each Veteran holds a new Flag, something that shows that though their loved ones are gone, the sacrifices they made are never forgotten.
Our Guests and Colleagues are proud to be a part of that. This year’s team included Robichaud, Colleagues Adam Jackson and Molly Rizk as well as Guests John DiFruscia, Greg Trepanier, John Ruggiero, Moises Carabello, Jeffrey Murray, Danny Santiago, Francisco Cruz, Miguel Maldonado, Crystal White, Sapenh Sat, Miguel Colome, and Jonathan Boucher.
Check out their story, featured on page 7 in the May 22 edition of Rumbo News, below.
While we honor and pay respect to those who have passed, we hope not to forget those who are living. As Mary Harris Jones said, “Pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living.” As you honor and remember those who now lay at rest, please keep in mind those who are in need of our care now. Find out how you can help by visiting serve.org and using the keyword “veterans” or by contacting your local Veterans’ Services Coordinator.
Check out our 2014 Flag Replacement and Retirement stories here.