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."