🕊️ Veterans Day in Norwood: A 2019 Commemoration of Service and Memory
On November 11, 2019, Norwood marked Veterans Day with a series of solemn and celebratory events that reflected both national tradition and local pride. The day began at 8:00 a.m. with a Veterans’ Recognition Mass at St. Catherine of Siena Church, continuing a long-standing practice of honoring military service through faith and community gathering.
By midmorning, more than fifty residents assembled at the Town Common to pay tribute to those who served in the United States Armed Forces. At 9:30 a.m., parade units gathered at the Balch School, and by 10:00 a.m., the procession stepped off. Participants included members of VFW Post 2452 and its Auxiliary, the Norwood High School Marching Band, the Colonial Pipers Bagpipe Band, Pack 49 from St. Catherine of Siena, Troop 42 Scouts of Norwood, and the Colonial Boys. The parade route led to the Town Common, where ceremonies commenced around 10:45 a.m. The Norwood High School Band performed “The Star-Spangled Banner,” continuing a tradition of student involvement in civic remembrance.
Ted Mulvehill, Director of Veterans’ Services, offered historical reflections on the origins of Veterans Day, noting its formal establishment in 1926 and its roots in the Armistice of 1919. He also highlighted the significance of Norwood Town Hall, dedicated on November 11, 1928, and the German cannon displayed on its front lawn—a World War I artifact brought home as a “war trophy.”
Mulvehill shared poignant definitions of “veteran” written by Norwood elementary school students. One fourth grader described a veteran as “an individual with a sense of duty… one who served his country with bravery and honor.” Another student offered a lighthearted clarification: “A vet is not someone who takes care of animals, but a person who fought in a war for our country.”
Members of the Norwood Board of Selectmen also addressed the crowd. Selectman Tom Maloney recited “The Unknown Soldier,” while Selectman Paul Bishop reminded attendees, “The price of freedom is high, but we cannot forget those who were willing to pay that price.”
Many in attendance had personal ties to military service. Norwood resident Paula Tolley shared that her son was currently deployed, having served for 19 years. David Dorion, a regular attendee of Norwood’s Veterans Day events, spoke of his appreciation for the VFW and its members: “They’ve devoted a lot of their time for us, so I’m here to give back.”
At precisely 11:00 a.m.—the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month—a moment of silence was observed in honor of fallen veterans. The bells of Norwood Town Hall rang out eleven times, echoing across the Common and anchoring the day in solemn remembrance.
By the Norwood Historical Society, created with the assistance of Microsoft Copilot
🎖️This post is part of our Veterans of Norwood Archive. If it resonates, share it in local history groups or on your own feed to help honor those who served. Every tribute helps preserve the dignity of those who served.