Ceremony honors service, sacrifice of veterans

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – More than 60 local veterans were honored during the sixth annual Salute to Veterans ceremony at the base conference center here Nov. 9.

The ceremony paid tribute to each veteran’s service, many of whom continue to serve as employees on the base.

“Your service didn’t just end when you hung up the uniform; many of you continue to serve in other capacities,” said Lt. Col. Marty Easter, deputy commander of the 66th Air Base Group, during his opening remarks. “I would like to thank all of you for being here today and for your continued service to our nation.”

Easter encouraged each of them to tell their stories to others.

“Share your stories. If you don’t want to discuss them, write them down,” he said. “It’s an important part of your history -- an important part of our history -- don’t let them fade away.”

Retired Navy Capt. Andy McCawley, who is currently the president and CEO of the New England Center and Home for Veterans located in Boston, served as guest speaker.

“Veterans are a group represented by a very important, successful and leading component of our society and our country,” he said. “Veterans bring their leadership, their skills, their sense of teamwork and mission accomplishment ... those attributes are what veterans have developed and strengthened during their time in uniform.”

Following McGawley’s remarks, a formation of Airmen saluted each veteran after Chief Master Sgt. Scott Pepper and Senior Master Sgt. Jessica McWain, both members of the 66th Security Forces Squadron, read aloud more than 100 names of veterans from all branches of service.

Retired Chief Master Sgt. Bobby Jacques, the event organizer, spoke about the significance of the ceremony after.

“Each of these veterans committed so much to their country, their mission and their colleagues,” said Jacques, himself a Vietnam-era veteran. “Events like these also allow us to demonstrate to our currently-serving Airmen that service is important.”

The ceremony also included readings of “I am the Flag” by retired U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Tim Martin, a member of 66 SFS, and “In Flanders Fields” by U.S. Air Force retired Master Sgt. Robert Hildreth, Hanscom’s fire chief.

Following the ceremony, many of the honorees went on a historical tour of Boston.