The Council on Aging’s Veterans Memorial Grove was filled with dozens of military members and families from multiple generations as the town held its second annual Veterans Day memorial ceremony on Nov. 11.

The 25-minute service featured the playing of “Reveille” and “Retreat” by Dartmouth Community Band member Linsey Govoni and the singing of the national anthem by Dartmouth High sophomore Hadley Fitton.

To end the town’s second ever Veterans Day ceremony, Veterans Service Officer Matthew Brouillette read out Gov. Charlie Baker’s official holiday proclamation as a member of the police honor guard raised the American flag.

Between the songs, Veterans Advisory Board Chair Chris Pereira provided some brief remarks thanking all those who served.

“Our veterans never cease to amaze,” he said. “Some have given their time, sacrificed their family times, their health, their own limbs, and yes, their lives.”

The Afghan War veteran also encouraged residents to “strive for the ideals” veterans have fought for and to get to know some of those who served, including those “the world will never know — the ones who made everything work behind the scenes with no fanfare.” 

“Thank a veteran, but learn about them as well,” Pereira said.

South Dartmouth resident Thornton Klaren served in the Army in Incheon, South Korea, in 1960.

Klaren’s primary responsibilities were on the administrative side of things, going through records and keeping track of who entered and left the complex referred to as “ASCOM City'' — short for Army Support Command.

“Oh boy, if you didn’t fill out a form right [superiors would] get all mad at you,” he recalled with a laugh. 

Thornton said he appreciated that the Town of Dartmouth is continuing to mark Veterans Day with an annual ceremony.

“It was absolutely terrific,” he said. “I’m so glad I came — I met so many great, new people.”