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Dartmouth’s military veterans gathered at the Maria Connor Center for Active Living on Friday, July 15 for a billiards tournament organized by the Dartmouth Veterans Office.

Matt Brouillette, the veteran service officer and organizer of the event, said that the tournaments have become very popular among the town’s veterans since they began in January 2020.

“In the first tournament, I had to play because we didn’t have enough people,” he said. “Now I’m having to turn people away.”

He added that the veterans take the competition very seriously.

“At least two of these guys switched medical appointments around to be here,” he said.

Brouillette said that now he won’t even referee for the tournament, for fear of getting in a dispute about rules.

Instead, he leaves the job to Joe Moranis, a veteran of both the military and the pool table, whose expertise and seniority make him an unimpeachable authority.

“He’s a pool shark,” said Brouillette.

Brouillette explained that because of the outbreak of the pandemic, the tournaments took a nearly two-year hiatus after the first event, making Friday’s competition just the third they’ve held. Moving forward, he said, they hope to make it a twice-annual event.

This year, the typically eight-man tournament left one spot intentionally empty in honor of the late John Pye, Sr., a World War II veteran who died earlier this year.

As a show of respect, Pye, Sr.’s son, John Pye, Jr. was given a “bye round” to start the tournament.

The room was quiet as the games were played, with the seven players and dozen-or-so spectators speaking in hushed tones as they watched and ate breakfast from the buffet.

In the end, the tournament was won by Armand Santos, a Korean War veteran and the eldest of the competitors, who beat out Martin Flinn in the final round.

As a result, Santos was awarded the top prize: $150 and a place on the winners’ plaque that hangs beside the table at the Maria Connor Center.

Flinn was awarded $100 for second place and Pye, Jr. won $50 for his third-place finish.

Brouillette thanked the Dartmouth Friends of the Elderly and its president, Maria Connor, for hosting the tournament and providing breakfast for the players and spectators.

“This would be nothing without them,” he said. “The community is lucky to have them.”