Portrait of a Patriot: Francis "Gunner" Hayes

Francis "Gunner" Hayes spent two years serving his country in an Army tank battalion. Then, a 19 year-old Hayes serving under General Patton marched across Europe from France to Czechoslovakia, including taking part in the historic Battle of the Bulge.

The 87 year-old has spent his entire life in North Andover. He grew up with four other siblings, two brothers and two sisters. Both his parents died by the time Hayes was 13, forcing Hayes to grow up fast. In high school, friends gave the young Hayes the nickname "Gunner", a name that has stuck ever since.

Hayes spent most of his post war years tending bar at the local VFW Post until he retired in 1987. Today, Hayes continues to be a presence at town and veteran events because he says otherwise, people "will forget about you completely."