Town celebrates Veterans Day

The Dartmouth Veterans Office welcomed around 100 residents to the Veterans Cemetery for a Veteran’s Day ceremony. 

“Residents have answered the call when our country needed them most,” said Matthew Brouillette, the Veterans Service Officer, “They left behind families, friends, jobs and familiar places, willing to serve a greater purpose, greater than themselves. Many returned, carrying memories and experiences that few can fully understand. Some never come home. We remember them all. Their sacrifices are woven into the history of Dartmouth and into the freedoms.”

The ceremony opened with the Dartmouth Band playing the national anthem. The Cub Scouts Troop 74 were there to secure the flags, the police had their color guard presenting colors and the auxiliary color guard had a banner celebrating the formation of the Veterans of Foreign War post. 

Veterans had seating in the front to watch the ceremony. There were members of the Select Board and Veterans Advisory Board in attendance. 

Stanley Mickelson, the chair of the Veterans Advisory Board, spoke on the history of Veterans Day. In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson declared Nov. 11 a holiday celebrating the end of World War I. It became a federal holiday in 1938, known as Armistice Day after World War II. In 1954, after the Korean War, it became Veterans Day. It was celebrated on a Monday until 1975, when it was returned to Nov. 11. 

“Whether they followed a family legacy, attending a military academy, falled by a career in uniform or they were drafted into service, or reluctantly they served, they did serve,” said Mickelson. “They are all honored this day equally.”

He reflected on how he and selectboard member David Tattlebaum will visit the Veterans Ceremony, as a place to come and reflect. They see it as “hallowed ground.”

He added he hoped the Cub Scouts retained some of this history lesson. 

Heidi Silva-Brooks, the chairperson of the Select Board, spoke about her family and friends who served. She carried four flags with her, one for each branch of the military a family or friend served in. 

“It is a day to pause, reflect and express our deepest gratitude to those who answered our nations call,” Silva-Brooks said. “It is an opportunity to recognize the courage, commitment and sacrifice of the individuals who have defended the freedoms that we all enjoy.”

She added, “We recognize, too, that service does not end when someone takes off the uniform. The experiences of military service remain with our veterans throughout their lives.”

The Boy Scouts of America recently created a ribbon/knot to honor those who have served. Two Veterans involved with Troop 74 were given a ribbon; Chris Beanier and Ed Nickerson.