THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2024 Page 3 ~ GUEST COMMENTARY ~ This Year on Veteran’s Day I Hit a Triple: Boston, Quincy and Revere By Sal Giarratani T his past Monday, November 11, I marched in my second Veterans Day parade of this holiday weekend and I always remember the sacrifi ces made since the birth of this nation of those who served and defended this nation in times of war and in peacetime, too. I can remember growing up in Boston and the time I lived next door to a World War I veteran who also served with the Rough Riders back in 1898 and stormed up San Juan Hill with Col. Teddy Roosevelt. I at fi rst thought he was joking until he showed me an old photo of himself in uniform as a young man standing next to Roosevelt. The year was 1962, I was 14 years old and he was at least 83. That November as my family and I watched the Veterans Day Parade near Boston Common, there he was marching by in his full Army doughboy uniform with a rifle on his shoulder. My dad always took us to Veterans Day parades and Boston had the best one of all. I was glad to wave to my elderly neighbor, too. This year I marched in it again. The route is slightly changed but the patriotism remains and the crowds still come to say thank you to those in the line of march. I caught up with Jake Comer, 91, who rode in the Boston parade and I was glad to see him alive, well and smiling. This guy is a hometown hero to many, especially those from Dorchester and Quincy. He joined the American Legion in 1962. He served in the Air Force during the Korean War and has held offi ce for the American Legion at every level and served as national commander in 1987-88. I remember when I enlisted right out of high school back in 1966. Like Jake, I too joined the Air Force and like my Uncle Joe Harrington from Charlestown, I stayed out of harm’s way. My Uncle Joe joined the Navy right after Pearl Harbor and spent his service time in San Juan, Puerto Rico. I spent my time stateside in Texas. He was sorry I didn’t become a sailor but happy I was safe and sound. So, every year I march in the Veterans Day Parade to remember my uncle and all who served and continue to serve their country. As I said, this year it was a two-parade holiday for me, marching through Downtown Boston and again on November 11 in the City of Quincy. Oh, I also had a great time over at the Beachmont VFW Post for a Veterans’ banquet with all my Revere friends, right after leaving Quincy earlier on the holiday. I don’t march to be thanked — no veteran does — I march to show my pride in being an American. That’s what we all do. The City of Quincy puts on a great parade year after year after year. This city is home to many veterans past and present. It had lots of generals over the life of this America but it has even more ordinary plain soldiers, men and women who proudly wore the uniform of the military branch they were a part of. This year’s Veterans Day parade was held on a great day: The winds I felt in Boston two days prior had quieted down, the sun was shining and the temperature was really mild. Crowds cheered everyone on and the ceremony at the Soldiers Monument Park across from the Korean War Memorial reminded all why we must always remember how special this day is. Let every day be Veterans Day! Eastern Bank Building on Rte. 1S 605 Broadway, #301 * Saugus (781) 233-6844 www.bostonnorthdental.com Dr. Priti Amlani Dr. Bhavisha Patel * Restorative Dentistry * Cosmetic Dentistry * Implant Restoration * Zoom Whitening * Teeth in a Day - All on 6 * Invisalign * CEREC Crowns (Single Visit Crowns) * Root Canal Treatment * Sedation Dentistry ~ Full Mouth Rehabilitation ~ Before After For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 781-286-8500 or Info@advocatenews.net Monogram D4 Double siding Cedar impression half rounds Harvey Vinyl 66 Replacement Windows Custom Aluminum Trim work Windows & Doors Top quality Vinyl Siding! •Vinyl Siding •Carpentry Work •Decks •Roofing •Free Estimates •Replacement Windows •Fully Licensed •Fully Insured
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