The Gardner MA ceremony is at Perry Auditorium at Gardner City Hall beginning at 11am. Suggestion is to arrive about 10:30am.
Veterans Day Commentary with Werner Poegel
Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.
From the commentary:
When we gather in places like Perry Auditorium at City Hall on Veterans Day, we aren’t just reciting names and listening to speeches. We are bearing witness to that standard. We are reminding ourselves of the standard of civic duty that keeps a free society intact. So as we approach this Veterans Day, the question before us isn’t simply how to celebrate, but how to act.
First, take the time to show up. If you are able, attend the exercises at Perry Auditorium. Bring your children and your grandchildren. Let them see what service looks like in the eyes of an older veteran wearing an overseas cap, and in the posture of a young soldier just home from deployment. Show them that honor is an active, public tradition in the City of Gardner and the towns which surround it.
Second, listen. If there is a veteran in your family, down your street, or across the table at work, don’t just offer a handshake and move on. Ask them about their life. You don’t have to press them on difficult combat memories; ask where they were stationed, what the camaraderie was like, what job they trained for, and what they learned about the world. Many veterans keep their stories tucked away because they believe nobody is truly interested. Give them the gift of listening.
And third, look out for one another. If you know an older veteran who lives alone, check on them as the winter weather approaches. Make sure their walkway is clear, their heating oil is filled, and they have what they need. Support local veteran initiatives—whether that’s volunteering, donating warm coats, or supporting veteran housing efforts right here in North Central Massachusetts.
On this upcoming November 11th, when the morning bells ring out across Gardner, pause for a moment. Listen to the quiet. The ceremony is at Perry Auditorium beginning at 11am. Suggestion is to arrive about 10:30am and find a seat. Stay warm, look out for your neighbors, and have a safe and meaningful Veterans Day.