Photo: Shari Small/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The South Boston community gathered to honor and support those who served with an annual Veteran's Day celebration.
It's the 73rd year the Thomas J. Fitzgerald Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 561 has hosted the event. It includes a ceremonial march to Saint Brigid Church, where they hold a mass and breakfast for veterans.
South Boston High School JROTC cadets and local Girl Scouts marched with the veterans, alongside Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.
"Thank you for making sure that we are standing strong in remembering the sacrifices that made it possible for us to enjoy our freedoms," Mayor Wu said at the event.
Tommy Florentino is a veteran who served in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He works for VFW Post 561 and spoke about how important it is to him.
"It means brotherhood, comradery," he said. "I was proud to serve and I'm proud to serve here at the VFW. That's the payment and service is my reward."
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James McCarthy served in the Army during the Vietnam War and he said the VFW Post 561 is an important resource for veterans.
"We don't talk about the combat part because it's tough," McCarty said. "But if someone is feeling really bad a couple of us will take him aside so he can get through it. We try to help other vets."
Vietnam War veteran Lewis Kneeland said his message on Veteran's Day is for people to lend those who served a helping hand and to not forget about them.
"Don't forget there are veterans who are in need," he said. "There are homeless veterans and people who need help."
WBZ's Shari Small (@ShariSmallNews) reports.
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