Schoolkids Honor Area Veterans

Schoolkids Honor Area Veterans

Nap Pietryka, a Marine in the 1950s, applauds Randolph Elementary School Students during their Veterans Day celebration Tuesday. Veterans are honored wit a program of songs and poems, followed by refreshments and conversation. (Herald / Tim Calabro)

In what has become an annual tradition, several elementary and high schools in the area opened their doors to veterans this week in honor of Veterans Day.

The following account and reflection was sent to The Herald by Ashley Lyford Lincoln, who grew up in Chelsea and now lives in Randolph:

I have had the good fortune of being raised in a family that honors veterans. After receiving a draft notice, my father served his country in the Vietnam War. Thankfully, he returned safely to his hometown, the town of Chelsea where he has raised his four daughters and continued to serve his community as a dedicated school teacher and volunteer for more than 30 years. 

It has always been an honor to work with my father, Doug Lyford, on Chelsea's Memorial Day and Veteran's Day celebrations. In preparation for the public celebrations, I have sat in local heroes' living rooms, learning about their service to our county. I am consistently struck by the humility and honor of our local heroes and wish their stories of courage and sacrifice could be heard by all.

We owe America's servicemen and women a great deal of thanks. Most of us had Monday off; but, how many of us took the time to reflect upon the meaning of Veterans' Day? My guess is that many took the time to take care of errands.

As grateful citizens, we need to recognize the value and service of our heroes, not only on a day in November and another day in May, but every day. These heroes put their lives on the line for us- we need to honor their service, patriotism, courage, and devotion to their family, community, and country.

Many of the women and men who served in the armed forces were the age of our current high school graduates. These young people gave their lives to defend democracy and their homeland before having had the opportunity to enjoy the income of a steady job, get a college degree, marry or have children. Many of these young heroes died before they could truly understand the benefits of living in a free society. They died on foreign soil in the company of other brave soldiers who shared their values.

When I think about our defenders of freedom, I think about the friendships that are formed. These friendships would be life-long, whether that time be long or short. These friendships were forged on the battle field or on the deck of a Navy ship or during long marches or while lying in foxholes listening to the sounds of gunfire or deadly silence. It was this bond of friendship that was the glue that kept the soldiers together. These brave servicemen banned together in a brotherhood not to be forgotten by each other or by us.

While I have never personally experienced combat, I did observe the amazing brotherhood forged among veterans on Tuesday when Wayne Doyle of Chelsea was laid to rest at the Vetera''s Cemetery. Local veterans were there to recognize Wayne's commitment to his country.

As I stood there and watched my father and my neighbors salute their friend and fellow comrade for the last time, I could not help but be proud to be the daughter of a patriot and a citizen of America.

The following words are inscribed at Arlington National Cemetery: "Not for fame or reward, not for place or rank, not lured by ambition or goaded by necessity, but in simple obedience to duty as they understood it, these men suffered all, sacrificed all, dared all-and died." I would like to thank all America's veterans for their sacrifice and for safeguarding my family's freedom.