Several Hundred Brave Chilly 40-Degree Weather for Norwood’s Veterans Day Parade-November 12, 1980

Mustang Marching Band, Veterans Delegations, and Santa Claus Brave Wintry Winds from South Norwood to Town Square

NORWOOD — Shivering in a wind-chilled 40-degree mid-morning, several hundred spectators lined the sunlit side of Washington Street on Tuesday, November 11, 1980, to observe Norwood’s annual Veterans Day parade. After inclement weather forced the cancellation of the previous year’s observance, townspeople turned out in better-than-expected numbers along the 1.5-mile route stretching from South Norwood to the Town Square green.

Veterans Services Director George Thomas observed, “Norwood is basically a parade town… yesterday was a cold and brisk day but a good day to observe Veterans Day.” The arrival of the Norwood High School Mustang Marching Band—fresh from stopping at Norwood Hospital to play musical selections for patients—instantly perked the crowd’s attention. Marching directly behind the Norwood Police honor guard were Thomas and Selectmen Chairman William J. Plasko, followed by delegations from the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, and Marine Corps League auxiliaries, alongside the National Guard.

Community Groups, Festive Touches, and Ceremonies on the Green

The diverse procession featured units representing local youth and culture, including the New Dimensions, Brownies and Girl Scouts, the Norwood Colonial Boys and Tiots, Civic Center baton twirlers, and Shirley Temple Arno dancers. Adding an early festive touch to the holiday, Santa Claus rode through town in an open National Guard truck driven by the Christmas Elks Elderly Committee.

About 300 hardy souls gathered on the Town Square green for the concluding commemorative exercises:

• Invocation: Rev. Albert C. Abracinskas, pastor of St. George Lithuanian Church, good-naturedly commended the crowd, telling them, “You’re not merely a fair weather baby.” Turning to a more serious note, he honored both those who made the supreme sacrifice and surviving veterans who live with wartime wounds, while expressing regret that “the flame of love has somehow grown dimmer.”
• Keynote Address: Past state commander of the American Legion Ernie Montrond of Taunton traced the holiday’s roots from the November 11, 1918 Armistice ending World War I to a universal day honoring all veterans. “We are not here to glorify war with all its terror, pain and shattered dreams,” Montrond stated, emphasizing that war’s true legacy is found in individual courage and devotion to country.
• Flag Protocol: Preceding the parade, an estimated 150 people attended a memorial Mass at St. George’s in South Norwood, followed by a flag-raising ceremony at Town Square. Director George Thomas explained that the flag flew at full staff in honor of American hostages in Iran—whom veterans refused to count among the fallen—though he noted the flag would likely return to half-staff the following day in deference to public solidarity.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger