Page 10 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, May 24, 2019 O’TOOLE | from page 1 J. Procopio Saugus Post 210 of the American Legion. We asked him what he hopes Memorial Day means to the average Saugus resident and how he plans to get that message across. O’Toole, who has been a Saugus resident for close to 50 years, is a 1964 graduate of Charlestown High School who enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps after completing High School. He served in the Marines during active duty and as a reserve for six years, discharging as a Sgt. E-5. His military service includes two and a half years with the U.S. Coast Guard as port security second class. He also served 21 years with the New Hampshire Air Guard, discharging in 1997 as chief master sergeant for the State of New Hampshire. After discharging from active duty with the Marines in 1968, O’Toole launched a 37-year career with the Boston Police Department. He retired as a deputy superintendent in charge of special operations. He received his master’s and bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice administration and criminal justice from Western New England College in Springfi eld. O’Toole continues to work as a security consultant. He and his wife, Dorothy, a Salem native, have a daughter – Colleen Marie O’Toole, a 1987 graduate of Saugus High School. O’Toole and his two brothers – Daniel and the late Thomas O’Toole – all served in the U.S. Marines. Their sister, Shannon M. Tooley, is a U.S. Army veteran. Many other members of their family have served or continue to serve in the nation’s armed forces. Some highlights of this week’s interview follow. Q: With Memorial Day coming up [Monday, May 27], what are your thoughts on the day? HIS SISTER SERVED TOO: Left to right Shannon M. Tooley, is a U.S. Army veteran, while Robert E. O'Toole of Saugus and his two brothers served in the U.S. Marines. Shannon and Robert are both retired New Hampshire National Air Guard. (Courtesy Photo to The Saugus Advocate What would your message to the public be about the day? A: I would like people to understand Memorial Day for what Memorial Day actually is. It’s not a sale at Bob’s Furniture. It’s not going to buy a car or going out to have a barbeque. Those are all wonderful things to do, for which I may participate in. But Memorial Day is to honor those who died in the service of their country, whether it’s in combat or in a training accident. It’s those who volunteered to serve who have lost their lives – and it’s a time for us to step back, take a minute … and I believe at one point, President Clinton said that at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day we should all stop and take a moment of silence to honor those who passed away serving their country. And that’s what I would like people to do, because I think if we went out and asked people on the street, “Hey, what is Memorial Day?” – of 10 people – I don’t think many would know what the real meaning of it is. And that’s why we like to go to the schools and talk to the young children, so someday they will know what the real meaning of Memorial Day is. It’s not always somber. In some cases, you should be happy and honored that you had a relative or knew somebody who did serve and sadly lost their life, and understand that that allows you and me to sit here today and have coff ee and talk about anything, because of what they did. Q: Now, do you go into the classrooms in schools here in Saugus and talk to the students? A: Yes. They do have assemblies at the local schools. On Friday [May 24] I’m going to the Waybright [Elementary School] and talk to the students. Q: Please, tell me a little bit about it. A: Oh, we go in dressed in our various uniforms. Oh, I’ll go in wearing my Air Force uniform and Steve [Castinetti] will be in his Navy uniform. There will be about fi ve or six people. Q: All from the Saugus Veterans Council? A: Yes. They [council members] do the assembly. The kids come in. They all have American fl ags and they make posters. Each class gets up and they either sing a song or read a poem about Memorial Day. But just to see the look on these kids’ faces – it’s rewarding. Q: How many years have you been doing this? A: I’ve done it maybe three or four years. Q: So, this is an annual thing? A: Yes. They [Saugus Public Schools offi cials] invite us. And I think it’s wonderful. Q: So, this is an activity in which the Saugus Veterans O’TOOLE | SEE PAGE 11
11 Publizr Home