Veterans Day Weekend in Foxborough: Ceremonies, Meals, Deals and Patriots Events

In observance of Veterans Day on Sunday, Foxborough will be holding several events in the area this weekend.

On Saturday, the town will hold a Veterans Day ceremony inside the Foxborough High School cafeteria beginning at 11 a.m., according to Foxborough Veterans Services Advisory Committee chair Bob Siteman. The ceremony will include:

• A welcome message by Jack Authelet, Town Historian and Master of Ceremonies
• The invocation by Rev. William Dudley of Union Church.
• Salute to the flag by Siteman.
• National Anthem performed by The Serenading Seniors
• Greetings from the Town of Foxborough by James DeVellis, chair of the Board of Selectmen.
• Veterans’ Day Proclamation read by State Representative F. Jay Barrows
• Patriotic Medley performed by the Serenading Seniors
• Presentation of Certificates and Awards done by Mike Johns, Deputy Director of Crossroads Veterans Services District.
• Keynote speakers will be Colonel Robert Kelley, United States Army War College, FHS Graduate and Heath Hobson, VSO of Crossroads Veterans Services District

Following the Veterans Day ceremony, the town’s Historical Commission will present a Civil War Commemoration Open House at Memorial Hall from 1 to 4 p.m.

Civil War memorabilia will be on display, including a small pitcher Capt. David Shepard brought home to his young daughter following the first three-month enlistment of Co. F and the sword carried by Major Charles Howard when he led the reorganized Co. F through its nine-month enlistment. Their service culminated with the siege of Port Hudson, the last Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River.

During the open house, visitors will be able to view copies of regimental histories of units in which local men served and many soldier profiles will be included.

A tablet inside Memorial Hall lists each of the men who served during the conflict and the Roll of Honor carries the names of 21 who did not return. Those who fought in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 are also honored on tablets.

The local contribution to the war will also be featured in a 1991 video produced by Dick Leggee, written and narrated by Town Historian Jack Authelet. Several guest narrators also participated. Many stories of Foxborough men in the war and activities on the home front during the conflict published by the local historian will also be on display, together with many photographs, war records and Civil War reference material.

Also available for viewing will be copies of hand-written summaries of the war experiences of many men who became members of the E. P. Carpenter Post 91 G.A.R. following the war. Members of the Post were instrumental in erecting the Memorial to the Unknown on Memorial Hall grounds honoring those who rest in unknown graves.

Members of the Commission will be present to assist visitors and a full listing of all Civil War material in the town archives will be available for researchers.

Other Veterans Day events in the area this weekend:

CVS Caremark to Salute Disabled Military Veterans with New England Patriots Experience in Foxborough

On Saturday – the day before Veterans Day – CVS Caremark will pay tribute to nearly 50 disabled military veterans from across New England, including those in Foxborough by honoring them with a football skills camp at Gillette Stadium in partnership with the New England

Patriots.

The skills camp is an extension of CVS Caremark’s commitment to individuals with disabilities and the company’s overall commitment to recognizing and supporting America’s

The CVS Caremark/New England Patriots Veterans Skills Camp will pair former Patriots players with veterans on the gridiron to work on football skills and drills. Working with three-time Super Bowl champions Patrick Pass (former fullback) and Matt Chatham (former linebacker), and Super Bowl XXXVI champion Jermaine Wiggins (former tight end), the veterans will use adaptive sports techniques they’ve learned through the VA’s New England Adaptive Sports Program to modify activity per the injuries they sustained during military service.

The special day for the participating veterans –who hail from communities in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and New Hampshire – will include:

• Patriots-style entry onto the field through oversized Patriots helmet
• Coaching by Patriots alumni on blocking, throwing and kicking skills
• A light dinner on the sidelines with an opportunity to secure autographs and photos with Patriots alumni, Patriots cheerleaders and Patriots mascot Pat Patriot
• A visit to The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon

The Hall at Patriot Place Offering Veterans, Active Military Free Admission this Weekend

Veterans and active military are invited to enjoy a free visit to the Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon over Veterans Day weekend in Foxborough.

From Saturday, Nov. 10 through Monday, Nov. 12, The Hall will offer free admission to all veterans and active service men and women. On Monday, Nov. 12, veterans and active military can complement a trip to The Hall with a visit to CBS Scene Restaurant & Bar, which will offer a complimentary special off the lunch menu with a military ID.
The Hall is open Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday from 4 p.m. (following the Patriots game) to 7 p.m., and Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Veterans Day Free Meals and Discounts in Foxborough Area

We’ve compiled a list of local deals and discounts for Veterans and active military taking place in the Foxborough area this weekend. Click here for more information.

Patriots Will Honor Veterans and Military Members Sunday

The Patriots will thank and honor veterans and active duty military members in several activities at Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium. The activities are in recognition of Veterans Day and as part of the Patriots Charitable Foundation’s week-long focus on “Veteran and Military Volunteerism” in conjunction with the team’s ongoing Celebrate Volunteerism initiative.

In a pregame ceremony, more than 100 active military members, representing each branch of the military and Coast Guard, will join members of the Kraft family, Patriots alumni and cheerleaders to display a large American flag that will spread the entire length of the field.

“I consider our veterans and active duty soldiers as the true unsung heroes of our country,” said Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft. “We look forward to honoring our military with events throughout the week, including a pregame Salute to Service on Sunday that will include representatives from each branch of military. It’s always great to give our fans an opportunity to show their appreciation to these real Patriots heroes.”

The game will also feature a flyover from 439 Airlift Wing in Westover, a Color Guard ceremony performed by the Army National Guard and national anthem sung by the 215th Army Band’s Voices of Freedom. During the game, all service men and women will be asked to stand and be recognized and messages from military members serving oversees will be played in-game on the video boards.

Prior to Sunday’s game, the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation and $25,000 grand prize 2012 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award Winner Lou Cimaglia from Local Heroes, will join Patriots partner Raytheon for a military care package event during Raytheon’s pregame hospitality in The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon.

More than 150 veterans and their families will attend. Guests will have the opportunity to create a care package, as well as write a personalized message for troops serving overseas. Throughout the weekend, veterans and active military can enjoy a free trip to The Hall. From Friday, Nov. 10 through Monday, Nov. 12, The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon will offer free admission to all veterans and active military with their military ID.

Also in recognition of Veterans Day, the Patriots unveiled a permanently unoccupied black seat in the south end of Gillette Stadium Friday that was dedicated to the thousands of Patriots who remain unaccounted for as POW/MIA. Footage from Friday’s ceremony will be shown during the game. The empty seat will serve as a permanent memorial to honor the brave men and women who served our country and never returned home.

 Sunday’s game is the culmination of the Patriots Charitable Foundation’s weeklong focus on veteran and military volunteerism. The Foundation works in cooperation with organizations that support community outreach for veterans and members of the armed services. Organizations include Raytheon in cooperation with the Wounded Warrior Project, Operation Christmas Cards, Massachusetts Soldiers Legacy Fund and Local Heroes.

 The Celebrate Volunteerism campaign aims to share examples of dedicated volunteers, build awareness of the need for volunteering, identify and educate others about volunteer opportunities and inspire New Englanders to become life-long volunteers.

Fans are encouraged to personally go out into the community and make a difference by pledging volunteer hours by visiting www.patriots.com/community, where they can also print an official Patriots Celebrate Volunteerism certificate. Fans can also submit photos holding their Celebrate Volunteerism certificate while participating in their volunteer work to CharitableEvents@patriots.com.

For more information about the Celebrate Volunteerism initiative, including resources and information about volunteering, the “Patriots Difference Maker” award, and to join the Celebrate Volunteerism movement by pledging volunteer hours, visit www.patriots.com/community.