THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, SEpTEmbEr 2, 2022 Page 11 THE SOUNDS | FROM PAGE 10 this year, with wreaths being donated to many veterans’ graves and a moving ceremony at Riverside. “Our October meeting will feature Andrew Biggio, whose March 2022 program had to be canceled due to exposure to COVID. It will be held on October 12, at 7 p.m. at the usual location. Andrew Biggio is the author of ‘The Rifle, Combat Stories from America’s Last World War II Veterans, Told Through an M1 Garand,’ published in 2021. BigADVOCATE ASKS| FROM PAGE 8 A: Well, yah. It’s one of them. That’s what we kick off with. And then we go into “Over There.” And then the Marines hymn. We had a routine. Q: Now, you played a lot of Memorial Day parades here in town [Saugus]? A: The same way I do two jobs. In one day, at least. I would do three if I could get there. Well, we did them all. Q: And Ann? Talk about your wife Ann’s role in your musical career. A: She was a force behind me: encouraging me all the time, helping me. Q: Did she go to all four parades when you did the July Fourth parades? A: Oh, of course! She used to drive the car. Q: Really? A: Sure! And then she’d find a parking space and wait for me to come back. Q: What were the most members you had in your band? How big were you at one point? A: 20. gio, the former Veterans Service officer from Saugus, is currently a Boston Police officer. He served as a Marine in Iraq and Afghanistan. He founded the ‘Wounded Veterans Run’ and is president of the ‘New England Wounded Veterans, Inc.’ a non-profit organization. “To gather material for the book, Biggio interviewed Army, Navy, Air Corps, and Marine veterans from around the country, bringing an M1 Garand rifle to trigger memories of their experiences. Two hundred veterans signed the Q: And how big were you the last time you performed? A: I think I had 15. Q: Looking back over your long career, anything memorable stick out? A: Back in the 50’s, my dance band played at the Copley Plaza. Twin girls married twin boys. It was right there in Life Magazine. I did a thing at Copley Plaza for James Michael Curley (a controversial Boston mayor who served time in prison during his last term). That’s a story in itself. Q: So, what’s it like as you’re approaching 100? You got any secrets you want to share? A: Like I say, the whole thing …. I hope people start to realize that there’s more to love than hugs and kisses and all that sort of stuff. There’s more to it. Q: Is there a special message that you want to convey? A: It’s all for you. All the way, like Frank Sinatra used to sing, “When somebody loves you, it’s no good unless they love you all the way.” Put Your Success To Work. Throughout his career, Tony Barrie always had a knack for engaging with the crowd in a positive way – with a happy smile. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) them. They just flow out. Q: Wh o i s y o u r v or it e I know the lyrics. I can sing f a - singer? A: Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra. Q: Between the two, who would you rather sing with? A: Either one. I’m delighted for the opportunity to sing for people. I’m delighted to sing for my wife, to tell her how much I really love her – “every time after time, I tell myself, I’m so lucky to be loving you.” Q: Do you sing to her regularly, like Mother’s Day? Or her birthday? Or your anniversary? A: Yes, every now and then. And I write her notes, a lot of notes. She was the one I was forgetting until I woke up. I said to myself, “Hey, without her, where would you be?” rifle, and the book includes personal experiences of many of them. Among them is the last Marine Medal of Honor recipient Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams. Mr. Biggio will have copies of his book available at the meeting. “Our November meeting will be on November 9 and will be about remnants of railroad in Saugus and surrounding areas, including views of historic depots and other buildings, tracks, and railroad memorabilia from the area. Railroad buffs Paul Kenworthy, Jack Klecker, Laura Eisener and possibly others will share their interest in trains and discuss the ‘Saugus Branch’ Railroad which served the community for 100 years and which inspired a novel in 1947. “We are also working on an exhibit about the Saugus High School Band and other music groups in the area. The display will be based on uniforms and other items in our collection but we are looking for recollections of the band’s activities especially in the 60’s and 70’s from former band members and others connected with it. Please call Laura Eisener at 781-231-5988 if you have reminiscences to share or wish to discuss this Project.” For additional information, you can contact Laura Eisener at LDELD@shore.net or 781231-5988 MassDEP officials to visit Saugus on Sept. 28 If you have concerns about whether to close the ash landfill near the WIN Waste Innovations trash-to-energy plant THE SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 12 Q: Anything else that you want to share with the readers of Saugus? A: I want to thank them all if they remember me. And I want to thank Mark Vogler for spending this time talking to a 99-year-old guy who is still alive. Yep. Unbelievable. I hope people who read your article take a different view of life and love and realize that true life depends on sacrifice. People get the wrong idea of marriage and devotion. It’s not all kisses and hugs and sex. There’s much more to it. If people realized this, they would be much happier in their marriage. I try to motivate people to try to participate in life. Q: Well, you are pretty sharp. A: I still have it. Q: Yep, you’re very lucid. You have your hearing. You can articulate, so you maybe minus one leg, but you’re still in the game. A: I’m still in the game. Right. Right on. It’s been a pleasure to see you. Your next smart decision is what to do with your success. Easy choice, multiply it. 1.50%APY* Business Money Market Ask about our in-office business concierge service. *New Money Only. Minimum Deposit to earn interest is $50,000. For existing Everett Bank Business customers, an additional deposit of $10,000 is required.
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