Mansfield Veterans Honored

November 11 of each year is the day that we ensure veterans know that we deeply appreciate the sacrifices they have made in their lives to keep our country free. All veterans, both living and dead, are honored for their dedicated and loyal service. On Wednesday, Nov. 9, many of Mansfield's veterans participated in a special Reception held at the , where they were lauded for their contributions.

The morning program began with a posting of the colors by the  ROTC, followed by an Invocation from Reverend Philip Secker who, himself, is a veteran. Master of Ceremonies Bill Woodbury, veteran's advisor for the Windham Regional Community Council, introduced several people during the event, including Mansfield Mayor Elizabeth Paterson, who proclaimed Nov. 9 as a day to honor Mansfield's veterans.

Daniel Reynolds, retired CW4 of the U.S. Coast Guard, made a moving speech in which he paid tribute to the last surviving American veteran of World War I, Frank Woodruff Buckles, who died at the age of 105 on February 27, 2011. Reynolds also acknowledged his favorite veteran, his grandfather, citing several lessons he learned from him, including the importance of honor and devotion to duty, even in the smallest, character-building task. Reynolds also asked the crowd to say, "Thank you," to our "shrinking number of veterans."

Also during the ceremony, veterans liasons from VITAS, a hospice care organization, spoke of their mission to provide veterans with end-of-life care and services to help them with benefits and tasks such as finding lost medals. VITAS' Maryellen Blake and Shawn Emond presented Senior Center Coordinator Cindy Dainton with an American flag and a plaque in honor of the center's dedication to veterans.

Music was also a big part of the morning's ceremonies. The Mansfield Senior Center Chorus performed several patriotic numbers, and Kay Neimasik performed Taps.

A few tears, many "thank yous" from the audience and refreshments concluded the Veterans' Day Reception.