Tewksbury memorial day parade honors fallen heroes

What a day for a parade!

On a sunny Monday afternoon, the town of Tewksbury took to the streets with its annual Memorial Day Parade. Soldiers, past and present, marched alongside Tewksbury's Town Clerk, Denise Graffeo, and US Senator for Massachusetts, Scott Brown, and the Tewksbury Police and Fire Departments.

"It's a great way to start the summer," says Tewksbury resident Liane Daigle.

Many veterans watched from the side walk as the parade made it's way along the two mile parade route from Pleasant and Main to the Tewksbury Country Club.

"A lot of the veterans today and soldiers overseas, they feel as though sometimes we don't support them," said VFW Post 8164 Commander Vincent Oliva after the parade, "these people come out, and it's good to hear them clapping and say thank you. It means a lot to us."

Other marchers included the Tewksbury chapters for the Boys and Girl Scouts, the Tewksbury Food Pantry, the Tyngsboro High Band, the Stuart Highland Pipe Band, the Aleppo Clowns from the Shriners, the Mass Brass Band, the Lowell High Band, The Andover High Band, the St. Joe's Clowns Unit, and many others.

Memorial Day 2011

"For love of country, they accepted death."
                                                                                                          -James A. Garfield, 20th US President

On May 30, 2011, the United States celebrates Memorial Day. Officials first proclaimed the holiday on May 5, 1868 in honor of those who died in the Civil War. The holiday honored both confederate and union soldiers. Today, the holiday is celebrated on the last Monday of May and honors all veterans who have passed.

Below are two videos from earlier this year, stories from two local WWII veterans about their time in the service.

WWII Vet Shares His Story of Survival




It was 1945 in a Nazi war camp when local resident, Jimmy Arsenault, and 38 other prisoners-of-war decided that if they made it out, they'd tell their story.

More than 60 years later, that dream has finally become a reality with the new book, "Brothers of War: The P.O.W. Experience." The book tells how the 39 P.O.W.s all made it out alive together.

Since the mid-1970s, Arsenault has had yearly gatherings with the survivors where they shared stories of their harrowing year behind enemy lines. Today, only three remain alive.

Arsenault says he was spurred on to finish the book as he got older. The dream became a reality when the 87-year-old veteran met ghostwriter Nancy Parsons who helped put the collective memoir of the 39 survivors together.

All of the book's profits will go to aid local veterans' services. The book is on sale at the North Reading Senior Center, Carr's Hallmark, and Ryers Store.

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."

New league, new hope

One year ago, Tewksbury Youth Baseball president, Frank Flanagan, announced plans to create a "Challenger Division" in Tewksbury.

Challenger Divisions are a part of Little League Baseball, they are for kids of all ages whose disabilities prevent them from joining other baseball leagues.

"It's an opportunity to get the kids away from the parents," says Flanagan, "and let someone else show them a little fun with the game of baseball."

The league's first game was May 8, 2011, Mother's Day. They started with about 10 players, but after two weeks, the league has doubled in size. Parents like Shane Nevins whose six year-old son Christopher is autistic, says the league means a lot.

"It's amazing," says Nevins," to see him out there, I just can't say enough, it's awesome."

The league has recieved tremendous support including volunteer "buddies" from Tewksbury High School's Baseball and Softball teams.

"It feels great," says "buddy" John Saunders, "even though their disabled to see them come out and play with such heart and determination. It's great."

The challenger league plans to continue its season through June. Organizers say new players are welcome anytime. Contact Deb Rocco for more information.

It's raining...golf balls?

It was just a normal Saturday afternoon in Tewksbury, until hundreds of golf balls fell from the sky!

In an effort to raise money, T.H.E. (Tewksbury Hospital Equestrian) Farm held their first ever golf ball drop. Each golf ball cost 20 dollars, and the three closest golf balls to the hole would win a prize, the top prize set at 1,500 dollars.

A crowd of just over 50 watched as a helicopter circled a field on East Street before dumping its payload. The winners were Lorna McElaney, of Tacoma, Washington, Joyce Morency, of Lawrence, and Emily Bersin, of Tewksbury.

Susan Lorenti, T.H.E. Farm's president, says the golf ball drop is now their second biggest fundraising event and hopes to hold it again next year.

Mock accident teaches sobering lesson to students

It's a parents worst nightmare: their child is caught in an accident caused by drunk driving.

In an effort to prevent such a tragedy, the Tewksbury Police, in collaboration with Tewksbury's chapter of Students Against Destructive Decisions (S.A.D.D.) and Tewksbury High School re-enact the nightmare scenario in front of the entire junior and senior classes. The school presents the "mock accident" with stunning realism, from the sounds of the crash to the delivery of the worst news a parent wants to hear, that their child was killed in an accident involving drugs and alcohol.

"It's like wow, this could really be me," said S.A.D.D. president and senior Renee Canlin, "It's a scary thought."

The entire exercise took about 40 minutes. The school coordinates this event once every other year, after starting it in the early 90s. Police say they think the message gets across to most students.

"If one kid decides not to drive, or not to get in a car with a drunk driver," says school resource officer Kathy McLeod, "that's win."

Several community organizations besides school and law enforcement provided services including make-up by Salon Renee, cars by Penney's Auto Body, and Saint's Memorial Paramedic Services.

Walking for a Cure

Five years ago, Andy Graham's wife Jessica lost her eight-month battle with Leukemia.

Doctors diagnosed the mother of one after undergoing a mandatory physical for her application to nursing school.

Today, Andy and Jessica's adopted daughter, Tracy (now 14), are raising money for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. Over the last five years, the pair have raised money under a team called, "Jessica's Friends."

This year, the team has raised more than $10,000, the largest amount raised by any team in North Reading. As a special tribute this year, Tracy Graham will sing Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours" with her friend Emma, who also came to the town from the same Chinese orphanage.

The North Reading Relay for Life will be at the North Reading High School indoor track on Friday, May 20 beginning at 6 p.m. and continue overnight until 6 a.m.

WWII Vet shares his story of survival

It was 1945 in a Nazi war camp when local resident, Jimmy Arsenault, and 38 other prisoners-of-war decided that if they made it out, they'd tell their story.

More than 60 years later, that dream has finally become a reality with the new book, "Brothers of War: The P.O.W. Experience." The book tells how the 39 P.O.W.s all made it out alive together.

Since the mid-1970s, Arsenault has had yearly gatherings with the survivors where they shared stories of their harrowing year behind enemy lines. Today, only three remain alive.

Arsenault says he was spurred on to finish the book as he got older. The dream became a reality when the 87-year-old veteran met ghostwriter Nancy Parsons who helped put the collective memoir of the 39 survivors together.

All of the book's profits will go to aid local veterans' services. The book is on sale at the North Reading Senior Center, Carr's Hallmark, and Ryers Store.

42,000 walkers, 20 miles, 1 goal

On one of the clearest days I've seen in Boston, thousands of walkers including myself made their way out of Boston and back again. Walkers ran the gamut in age from tots to seniors, and every race and creed were represented.

The event raised 3.6 million dollars for Boston food banks, a number that should help ensure all of Boston's residents a meal in the coming year. Thank you to all who donated to the walk, you have made a difference.