Veterans Day events in Marblehead with music and reflections

Marblehead will honor its veterans with a series of events, starting with a Council on Aging and Masons Veterans Day breakfast on Friday, Nov. 8, at 9 a.m. at the Jacobi Community Center. Veterans must register in advance by calling 781-631-6225.

The city will then hold its Veterans Day ceremony at 10 a.m. on Monday, November 11th at Abbot Hall. The event, organized by Veterans Service Officer Roseann Trionfi-Mazzuchelli, will feature the Marblehead High School choir performing patriotic songs including “America The Beautiful” and “Marblehead Forever.” VFW Commander Ronald Knight will serve as keynote speaker.

“We’re keeping it very low-key this year,” Trionfi-Mazzuchelli said. “The ceremony includes the reading of the names of recently deceased veterans, which is always one of our most solemn moments.”

The program opens with greetings from Trionfi-Mazzuchelli, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Board Chairwoman Erin Noonan will read the governor's proclamation and a clergyman will offer prayers during the service. John Collins will perform “Taps,” followed by a moment of silence to honor fallen service members.

Following the morning ceremony, veterans and their families are invited to a breakfast at the VFW. Trionfi-Mazzuchelli noted that special arrangements will be made to provide refreshments to high school band members participating in the ceremony, which is a new addition to this year's event.

The Council on Aging will provide free van shuttle service to Abbott Hall for Veterans Day ceremonies. Starting at 9 a.m., the van will transport participants from the National Grand Bank parking lot to Abbott Hall and back after the ceremonies.

Veterans Town Hall with Moulton

At 1 p.m., U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton will host his annual Veterans Town Hall in Abbott Hall, honoring the 10th anniversary of an initiative he launched in 2015 with author Sebastian Junger. The event provides a platform for veterans to share their experiences with their community in a non-political setting where participants simply listen to veterans' stories without asking questions.

Last year's town hall drew a large crowd where veterans shared defining moments of their service and discussed challenges they faced before, during and after their military careers. The format, intended to bridge the gap between civilians and the small percentage of Americans who serve, has become a model for similar events across the country.