Foxborough Honors US Military Members Past, Present

Once again, the town of Foxborough gathered at the Common for the Memorial Day parade to honor those who have served and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice serving their country.

Prior to the speeches, veterans, elected officials, local scouts, and the Foxborough High School marching band took part in the annual parade that stared at the American Legion and ended in the Common.

As the speaking portion of the ceremonies began, Rev. William Dudley spoke of the sacrifice made by those in uniform.

“It’s unbelievable the price that has been paid that we might be free. Our freedom was purchased and still is by those who have bravely defended us at a great cost to themselves,” the pastor of the Union Church of South Foxboro said before giving the opening benediction.

Also speaking were state Rep. Jay Barrows, state Sen. James Timilty, selectman chairman James DeVellis, and town manager Kevin Paicos, who was the guest speaker.

In his remarks, Timilty praised the town’s activities on this holiday while reminding those in attendance about the price paid for freedom.

“It’s great to see the participation here from the town of Foxborough throughout the generations on this very important holiday weekend,” Timilty said. “We enjoy the life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness that we cherish, but that isn’t free. There is a cost to that and it’s paid for by those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.”

In his speech, Barrows spoke proudly of the efforts by the state legislature to improve benefits and services for veterans across Massachusetts. The Valor Act passed the house with unanimous support and is expected to be signed by Governor Deval Patrick in the near future.

“The Valor Act focuses on enhancing job opportunities for our veterans. Assisting in transition issues from military to civilian life. Providing supportive services to families of veterans deceased in action.”  Barrows said. “We have a strong and historic record as being the most generous state when it comes to veterans and it's something we should all be proud of.”

Speaking about his past, selectman chairman DeVellis gave a personal anecdote about his earliest perceptions of veterans as a young boy growing up in Bedford. Living near a VA Hospital, the stories heard as a child scared DeVellis and perhaps gave him an unfair perception of our veterans. Praising the town’s local families and veterans, DeVellis was thankful that his children could have a better perception that he did at that age and asked the younger members of the crowd to thank a veteran.

“I ask that you continue to take a little time out of your busy schedules to say thank you to one of our veterans and be a little patience and a little curious to listen what they have to tell you,” DeVellis said to the members of the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts in attendance.

Giving the guest speech, Paicos, who is an Army veteran and a National Guard Special Forces Operator, was passionate as he spoke of sacrifice himself and his fellow soldiers have made.  Speaking of the bravery of our armed forces, Paicos spoke time and time again of their battles to protect their country while others the same age at home agonized about dilemmas such as job interviews and college applications.

“The people on those stones considered other dilemmas,” Paicos said referring to the names on the Foxborough veteran memorials. “They wondered if they could stay warm enough to survive another night in a cold, wet foxhole just so they can worry if they would survive the enemy artillery barrage that would greet another dawn.”

As Paicos continued to remind the audience of the freedoms protected from choosing a restaurant to writing a letter to the editor, the message that somewhere along the way a solider was there to protect your rights was clear.

“Your life and every part of it, your hopes and your dreams and everyone and everything you love, was protected and saved by the people who’s names are on theses stones and on these crosses,” Paicos said once again referring to the memorial and the white crosses placed in front of the podium with the names of recently deceased local veterans.

As he ended his speech, Paicos had one final challenge to get to know a living and dead veteran, if only to thank them and their family for their service.

As the ceremony came to an end, wreaths were laid at Memorial Hall and by the war memorials at the Common to honor those who have served from Foxborough. Former American Legion Post 93 Commander Noel Texeria then read the names of the 38 local veterans who died since the last Memorial Day.

After the honor roll, three ceremonial volleys were fired into the air as a lone member of the Foxborough High School marching band played Taps.