Burlington Honors Our Nation's Heroes

Many Burlington residents gathered on the Town Commons on Monday morning to honor United States Veterans of foreign conflicts. 

Burlington Disabled American Veterans, William Hurley Chapter  #113 was the host service organization this year, a notice from Burlington Director of Veterans Services Robert Hogan said. 

In addition to raising the U.S. Flag to begin the program, the loss of William Hurley, who died in the final days of the Korean War, was recognized. The DAV placed a wreath in honor of William Hurley and the more than one million men and women who served in that terrible war. The Armistice ending hostilities was signed in 1953, sixty years ago.

The ceremony also looked back to 1973, 40 years ago, when 591 POWs in Vietnam were released. There was a special raising of the POW/MIA Flag to remember the release of men who were in captivity as long as eight years, and Burlington’s lost son, Richard Harper, who flew off on a mission, never to return. They also had five MIA from World War – Two. They are: Henry Crogan, Ernest Everett, Wallace Oldford, Lennart Rabenius, and Robert Miller.

During the ceremony the five service flags by local veterans were re-raised, for the first time on a Veterans Day. Local veterans from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force raised the service flags during the ceremony.

The guest speaker was the Executive Officer from the US Coast Guard Base, Boston, Commander Lara Allison. Selectmen Dan Grattan and State Representative Ken Gordon also spoke. 

The Burlington High School Marching Band will be performed a set of patriotic songs.