Watertown Honors its World War II Veterans

Dozens of World War II veterans came for lunch at Hibernian Hall on Saturday, and left after being honored by the members of the Marine Corps League Shutt Detachment, and many other local veteran and military groups.

The event began as one focused on Watertown veterans but it grew to 63 veterans and 200 guests.

"It was the largest group of World War II veterans in Massachusetts, in one place, for many, many years," said Mike Munger, a member of the Shutt Detachment and the organizing committee. "The goal was to treat them with the dignity and respect they deserved."

The luncheon was the brainchild of Dave Brooks. He was the Marine of the Year at the Shutt Detachment, and with that honor he got to plan a project for the club.

When they arrived, the veterans got a medal, a copy of their service record which were secured by retired Watertown Veterans Officer Bob Erickson. The details of their service were eye-opening for many of the family members, Munger said.

"These guys came back didn’t tell anyone about what they did. They came back to work, reorganize the country," Munger said. "Looking at their fathers' service papers, many people said 'I didn’t know my father got 6, 7, 8 awards. He said he drove a truck during the war. When they were leaving, the families kept coming up and thanking us. The veterans thanked us too."

The members of the Greatest Generation were treated to performances by the JROTC Young Marines from Lynn High School, groups, received pictures and medals honoring them for their service.

The Massachusetts Secretary of Veterans’ Services, Coleman Nee and Lt. Col. Leo McGonagle of the U.S. Army spoke to those at the luncheon. The veterans also heard from special guest Jack Simons, a World War II submarine officer.

State Rep. John Lawn and State Sen. Will Brownsberger presented a proclamation from the State House and Town Council President Mark Sideris and Governor's Councilor Marilyn Devaney also presented proclamations.

Members of the Yankee Division, a group of World War II reenactors, came down from New Hampshire for the ceremony. 

After the ceremony, many wanted to keep celebrating.

"A lot of people came back to the Shutt Detachment, no one wanted to leave," Munger said. "Probably 150 to 200 came back, including some of the World War II veterans."

See photos from the event, to the right, provided by Leo Saidnawey.

Veterans Honored at Luncheon:

• Abelow, Arthur
• Aylaian, Sidney
• Baboian, Jacob
• Barmakian, Stephen
• Bean, James
• Bennas, James
• Brunachini, John
• Cahill, Robert
• Casello, Charles
• Cristello, Frank
• Dacey, Eugene
• Dargon, Frank
• Debonise, Albert
• Delraso, Michael
• Delrose, Concenzio
• Donnelly, James
• Eordikian, Jack
• Evans, Albert
• Fazzi, Paul  
• Frizzell, Walter
• Giliberti, Vincent
• Guido, David
• Gulezian, Krikor
• Hallsworth, Harold
• Hickey, Edward
• Hughes, William
• Inferrera, Anthony
• Kazanjian, Kenneth
• King, Gordan   
• Marra, Angelo
• Martino, Vincent
• Marzilli, Rocco
• McCurley, Ruth
• McHugh, Joseph
• Menton, Paul
• Micelli, Lawrence
• Mosca, Henry
• Musetti, Ray
• Myerson, Harriette
• O’Meara, Gene
• Paone, Charles
• Piscopo, Armand
• Raia, Joseph
• Ricci, Ralph
• Rocca, John  
• Santamaria, Peter
• Santoro, Attilio
• Serio, Nicholas
• Sgroi, Walter
• Shutt, Joseph
• Simons, Jack
• Stadtman, Edward
• Taylor, Richard
• Torilli, Peter
• Tucceri, Michael
• Volz, Orvill
• Wayne, Theodore
• Whitney, Malcolm
• Whitney, Robert
• Yunghans, Emil
• Zaccagnini, Dom
• Zaffiro, James
• Zouranjian, Sam

Veterans Honored Posthumously:

• Albert E. Erickson, TEC 3, Army, Rhineland    
• William Byrne, PFC,  Army Air Corps, Battle of Bulge  
• Walter T. Munger, PFC, Army, Utah Beach      
• Frank Brooks, MM1st Cl, Navy, Pacific Theater  
• Robert Munger, SGT, Army, Omaha Beach  
• John Jarvis, SGT, USMC, Iwo Jima    
• Thomas P. Aucoin, PO2, Seabee, Navy, Pacific Theater 

Organizing Committee:

• Edward & Janice Aucoin
• Rick Morrell John Jarvis
• SGM Oswald
• Michael Munger
• Dominic Ricci
• William Byrne
• Bob Erickson
• David O’Connell
• David & Judy Brooks
• Gene O’Meara