Gardner Veterans Day Ceremony 2026 – COMPLETE COVERAGE
Gardner’s 2026 Veterans Day Ceremony was held on November 11, 2026. We present the ceremony in a few ways: The YouTube video is embedded here, the AUDIO, our comprehensive chronicle of the ceremony, and an infographic. Thank you to our Veterans.
Listen to the AUDIO on any device, CLICK PLAY.
The ceremony formally commenced with introductory remarks delivered by Nikki Laviolette, Director of Veteran Services for the City of Gardner within the Montachusett District. Laviolette welcomed the assembled audience to celebrate and honor veterans past and present. Following her opening greeting, she transitioned leadership of the proceedings to Steve Wendell, who served as Master of Ceremonies. Upon assuming the podium, Wendell expressed gratitude to the community members in attendance, offering a special note of appreciation for the young students present in the auditorium.
Master of Ceremonies Steve Wendell initiated the formal ceremonial rites by ordering the posting of the colors. Captain Tourigny—led the Honor Guard forward to post the colors before the assembly. Following the honor guard’s execution of color protocols, Wendell introduced State Representative John Zlotnik to deliver the official municipal welcome. Representative Zlotnik greeted the attendees gathered in Perry Auditorium and led the audience in the collective recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance: “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
In keeping with long-standing commemorative tradition, former Mayor Dan Kelly performed the historic ringing of the bells, striking them to mark the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, officially designating the hour of Veterans Day. Following the bell ringing, Master of Ceremonies Wendell called forward Paul LeBlanc, Chaplain of Gardner American Legion Post 129, to deliver the invocation. Chaplain LeBlanc offered a solemn prayer petitioning for divine guidance, humility, and moral fortitude. He asked that worldly ambition and negative, complaining attitudes be replaced with wisdom, understanding, and freedom from bitterness. Acknowledging human weakness, LeBlanc prayed for strength and urged the congregation to look past material desires toward eternal truths. He concluded with a plea for charity, petitioning that through the active struggle of helping others, individuals might gain a broader understanding of their own lives.
Mayor Mike Nicholson—serving as Mayor of Gardner and State Representative-elect—delivered the executive address on behalf of a grateful city. Mayor Nicholson framed the historical continuity of military sacrifice within the 251-year “American experience,” noting that this national journey began just an hour’s drive down the road from Gardner. This geographic reference links the municipality directly to the 1775 origins of the American Revolution in Eastern Massachusetts—including the historic engagements at Lexington, Concord, and Boston—reminding citizens that local freedom is rooted in early regional struggle. Mayor Nicholson emphasized that everyday experiences often taken for granted are directly enabled by those who chose to wear the uniform. Specifically, he highlighted fundamental daily freedoms, including: The ability of children to attend school, learn diverse subjects, and discover their life paths, the opportunity to pursue employment and earn a living ,the stability required to raise a family and own a home, and the right to vote in democratic elections, referencing the municipal and national elections held just the previous week.
Mayor Nicholson highlighted that service represents a “life calling” rather than a mere job description. He observed that upon taking off the uniform, veterans in the community continue their dedication to public well-being, serving locally as teachers, police officers, firefighters, former mayors, and city councilors.
Reflecting on historical precedents, Mayor Nicholson noted the 108th anniversary of the November 11, 1918 Armistice, recalling how at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the world held its breath as “the cheers for peace rang louder than the noise of war.” In municipal annals, this milestone carries profound local weight, directly connecting to the 21 Gardner area service members who made the ultimate sacrifice during World War I. He underscored that throughout American history, “actions speak louder than words” because “service spoke larger than self,” concluding that while mere words of gratitude are never fully sufficient, the community must demonstrate its thanks daily through civic conduct and character.
City Councilor Brad Heglin presented legislative greetings on behalf of City Council President Tyros, who was unable to attend due to work commitments. Councilor Heglin emphasized that there is no higher calling than pledging one’s life to defend the Constitution and the principles defining the nation. He reaffirmed the City of Gardner’s commitment to ensuring that returning service members receive the healthcare, respect, resources, and support they are owed.
The ceremony featured artistic contributions from students of Gardner High School. Master of Ceremonies Steve Wendell introduced the award-winning Gardner High School Band, noting their recent silver medal achievement in state competition. The band performed a musical rendition of “America the Beautiful.”Following the musical performance, Keenan Leblanc, a senior at Gardner High School and tuba player in the school band, delivered a literary recitation of Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae’s historic poem, “In Flanders Fields”: “In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.”
The keynote address was delivered by Lindsey Graciani, Assistant Director of Veteran Services for the Montachusett District and a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. Graciani expressed deep humility, stating that she stood in the presence of individuals whose service and sacrifices deserved far greater recognition than could be captured in a brief speech. Graciani reflected on the broad, diverse contexts of military service, observing that veterans served in varying capacities—some during times of war and others during peacetime; some deployed overseas while others served domestically. She noted that many service members carry memories and experiences that are difficult to articulate or may never be fully shared. Regardless of the specific context, she asserted that everyone who took the oath and wore the uniform deserves enduring honor.
Drawing from her four years of active duty in the Marine Corps and her transition to serving as a local Veteran Service Officer (VSO) in Gardner, Graciani illustrated how municipal veteran advocacy represents a direct extension of military oath-bound duty within municipal governance. This transition underscores Mayor Nicholson’s premise of “service as a life calling,” proving that a veteran’s commitment to protecting fellow citizens continues long after an active duty contract concludes. In her daily role helping veterans navigate earned benefits and providing advocacy, she emphasized the simple yet profound impact of offering a listening ear.
To translate remembrance into daily action, Graciani outlined concrete steps for honoring veterans throughout the year: Active Listening: Taking time to listen directly to veterans’ personal stories and experiences. Regular Check-ins: Consistently reaching out to veterans within the community to monitor their well-being. Family Support: Extending active support and assistance to veteran families.Sustained Remembrance: Ensuring that veterans are reassured daily that their sacrifices and service have not been forgotten. Concluding her remarks with the Marine Corps motto, “Semper Fidelis,” Graciani set a reflective tone that led directly into the formal military rites and casualty roll call.
The culmination of the Veterans Day observance lies in the solemn roll call of historical casualties, military honors, and final benediction. Documenting local lives lost across historical conflicts preserves municipal military history, transforming abstract national figures into concrete local memory. Through traditional military rites—such as branch marches, the placing of symbolic poppies, rifle volleys, and the sounding of Taps—the community pays its ultimate respect to fallen comrades and completes the sacred cycle of civic remembrance.
The Gardner High School Band returned to perform the service marches of the United States Armed Forces Medley. While the musical ensemble executed the broader branch suite, Master of Ceremonies Steve Wendell provided explicit spoken callouts for the United States Army, the United States Air Force, and the newly established Space Force (“and a new one space force”). As each branch was called, veterans in attendance who served in those respective components stood to receive community recognition.
Captain Tourigny led the solemn placing of the poppies, reading the historical roll call of military conflicts and detailing the exact casualties suffered by the Gardner community across American history. The roll call concluded with a final salute dedicated to all veterans across all branches who have answered the “last roll call.” Following the roll call of poppies, VFW Post 1905 executed a formal rifle salute, which was immediately followed by the playing of Taps. Ed Yablonski delivered the closing benediction, offering a final prayer centered on moral responsibility, justice, and compassionate remembrance:
“Oh Lord Almighty, remember those who lived and died fighting to protect the dignity and freedom of mankind. Let our spirits be proud of them. Let our hearts be compassionate and our minds clear and determined in giving them honor and respect. And let us be dependent on the loving kindness of the Lord our God. As we remember the departed, let us be true soldiers in war and in peace. Let us be courageous protectors and true guardians of freedom. Let us be the true masters of brotherly love. Oh Lord, guide us in the way of moral responsibility. Enlighten us true believers in ethics and justice. Let this day be a day of commemoration and honor to those who sacrifice their lives in order to give us liberty and our nation security. Remember them, O Lord, in your mercy and have compassion on us. Make us a generation of wisdom, discipline, and faith. Amen.”
Master of Ceremonies Steve Wendell delivered the final closing remarks, offering a conclusive thank you to the community and participating students for supporting local veterans, formally adjourning the 2026 Veterans Day ceremony at Perry Auditorium.
