More than you really want to know about Natick, Mass.
A belated Happy Birthday to Natick’s Thomas Carroll, who turned 100 on Dec. 16.
The occasion was marked last month via the presentation of a citation from the Governor’s Office.
Carroll is a U.S. Navy veteran who served aboard the submarine USS Tarpon during World War II.
We’re told Natick Director of Veterans Services Paul Carew reached out to the state to secure the honor.
On Thursday, Nov. 10, more than three dozen veterans, including a Pearl Harbor survivor, came to Kennedy Middle School in Natick for the annual Veterans Breakfast.
The eighth-grade class and veterans shared breakfast and stories.
Four veterans who served in World War II were in attendance — Ed Radock, Mathias Leupold, Donald Chase and Freeman Johnson. Johnson was on board the USS St. Louis when Pearl Harbor was attacked on Dec. 7, 1941.
The event was co-sponsored by Natick Public Schools, the Veterans Services Office, the Morse Institute Library and the Natick Veterans Oral History Project.
Information and photos courtesy of the Natick Veterans Oral History Project.
More: Annual Natick Veterans Day parade remembers those who have served
The Natick Police had blocked off the route. Crowds lining either side of E. Central Street in Natick Center waited patiently and waved small American flags. As the strains of the Natick High School marching band became audible, everybody knew—the annual Veterans Day parade had begun.
On an overcast morning with unseasonably warm temperatures in the 60s, representatives from the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center, police, fire, color guard, scouts, the senior shuttle, the American Legion Band, elected officials, and of course, veterans, marchers and spectators remembered those who have served.
After the parade, a remembrance ceremony took place outside the Morse Institute Library.
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Natick Amvets: 9th annual “Thanksgiving Turkeys for Vets” program
The annual Veterans Breakfast will take place at Kennedy Middle School (165 Mill St.) on Thursday, Nov. 10, from 8:30-10 a.m.
Veterans from World War II to the present day will visit with eighth-graders to talk about their experiences.
As with past events, students will also prepare posters to present to the veterans.
“The veterans’ breakfast has been a special tradition here at Kennedy Middle School for more than 10 years,” said Jeffrey Raider, eighth-grade social studies teacher at Kennedy Middle School. “As a civics teacher, it is great to see students have meaningful conversations with the veterans that will stick with them for years to come.”
The event is co-sponsored by Natick Public Schools, Morse Institute Library, the Veterans Services Office, Roche Bros. and the Natick Veterans Oral History Project.
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Natick is preparing for Veterans Day events on Friday, Nov. 11, starting with a parade setting off at 9:30am from Morse Tavern at 85 E. Central St. The parade will feature representatives from the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center, police, fire, color guard, Natick High School band, scouts, the senior shuttle, American Legion Band, elected officials, and of course, veterans.
The parade travels from East to West Central, left on Forest, left on Pond, left to South Main, and right to East Central.
At about 10:15am, a ceremony will take place outside the Morse Institute Library, with a speaker, Johnson School Peacemakers, and an observance.
Contact Natick Veterans Services for more info.
