Politics & Government

Veterans Day Ceremony a Time for Celebration and Remembrance

More than 100 people gathered at Veterans Memorial Park to observe Veterans Day.

Veterans who fought in Korea, Vietnam and Iraq joined together with state and local officials, families and the local Girl Scout troop to celebrate Veterans Day. 

More than 100 people braved the cold weather at Veterans Memorial Park in South Attleboro at Lee's Pond to sing the national anthem, pray and acknowledge the accomplishments of vets who served in past and current wars. 

Joseph Hernandez, 23, and his soon-to-be wife, Jaime, were invited to participate in Thursday morning's ceremony. 

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Hernandez, of the U.S. Army's 211 Military Police Battalion, was invited to present an American flag to the American Legion Post 312. The flag was flown for American Legion Post 312 at Al Asad Airbase, Iraq, for supporting the troops and their efforts during America's War on Terrorism during Operation Iraqi Freedom 2009.

"I just got back from serving in Iraq in July," the soldier said. "I was overseas for nine months and I still have friends who are over there."

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Veterans Day has new meaning for Hernandez who, like many people, thought of the federal holiday as another day off from work and school.

"Once I joined the military Veterans Day took on a different meaning," he said. "You definitely think about everyone else." 


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