Newton marks Veterans Day by urging support

By Caitlin Castello, Town Correspondent

Newton leaders who gathered for Veterans Day at the American Legion Nonantum Post 440 called for greater appreciation, remembrance, and support for the men and women returning from military service.

‘‘We need not only to thank our veterans for their service on occasions like this, but every day by making sure that the services they need are there for them,’’ said state Representative Ruth Balser.

‘‘We’re in terrible times, in our state economy. Our revenues are in free fall. Our mental health services and our housing services are being slashed,’’ Balser said. ‘‘We owe it to the people who risked the ultimate sacrifice and who come back with scars that aren’t always visible, that we will be there for them.’’

The ceremony was attended by state Representatives Peter Koutoujian and Kay Kahn, state Senator Cynthia Stone Creem, Mayor David Cohen, and mayor-elect Setti Warren, along with several aldermen.

Local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts led the ceremony with the Pledge of Allegiance. A color guard made up of police and firefighters stood by throughout the ceremony.

‘‘As we gather from the halls of Chestnut Hill to the shores of Auburndale, let us be always faithful to the memory of those valiant men and women of all the armed forces who proudly stood in harm’s way against the forces of tyranny and oppression,’’ said R. Lisle Baker, president of the Board of Aldermen. ‘‘They gave up their lives ... so we might be free.’’

Baker served in the US Marine Corps, as did Veterans Services agent John MacGillivray.
Warren, who served in Iraq as an intellitence officer with the US Navy Reserve, attended the ceremony but was not a speaker. He said in an interview that he plans to work hard to ensure resources are available to Newton veterans.