The Swellesley Report

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, Wellesley paused to honor the sacrifice and service of its veterans, drawing the community together for the annual Veterans Day ceremony. This year’s tribute, set against the solemn backdrop of the War Memorial at Wellesley Town Hall, included a particularly compelling keynote address from a local hero whose service epitomized modern air combat.

A crowd of about 100 heard from Wellesley resident Lieutenant Commander Tavish Gould, a former U.S. Navy fighter pilot, TOPGUN graduate, and F-35 Pilot of the Year, who led critical combat missions across the Middle East. Gould said what he envisioned after his time in the service was becoming “a normal civilian with a peaceful Wellesley life.” Although the married father of two has checked off that box, another box only recently appeared on Gould’s radar—that of veteran speaker.

“I certainly did not expect to be standing here, speaking at a Veterans Day ceremony,” he said. “I’m here because service changes you. It shapes who you are long after you hang up the uniform. It becomes a part of your identity forever.”

From the traditional tolling of the bell to additional remarks by fellow veterans, and the Pledge of Allegiance led by local Girl Scouts, the ceremony provided a moment to stand with—and salute—the men and women who have protected our freedoms.

The temperatures were bone-chilling, but emcee Sgt. Pete Jones (Marine Corps veteran) wouldn’t hear of moving the ceremony inside to Town Hall on the grounds that it was not raining.

Some traditions are meant to be carried out properly, never mind a little discomfort. The Veterans Day ceremony is one of them, as long as Pete, the Wellesley Celebrations Committee, and American Legion Post 72 have anything to say about it.

Wellesley resident and Army veteran Hank Solomon said he was in attendance at the Wellesley ceremony for the first time. “I want to honor my compatriots. I was inspired by the keynote speaker.”

Active duty Marine Corp. member Captain Brendan Connors, a 2015 Wellesley High School graduate, attended as  well. His career has included three years stationed in mainland Japan, and he currently teaches ROTC undergrads at several Boston-area universities. He will complete seven years of service in 2026, after which Connors expects to enter the private sector.

Other participants at the event included Rev. Adrian Robbins-Cole from St. Andrews Episcopal Church; the Wellesley Police and Fire Departments Honor Guard; Wellesley High School vocalist Colin Graves and bugler Oscar Cortis; Wellesley Middle School teacher (US Navy veteran) Ken Johnson; MassBay history professor (US Navy veteran) John Dirlam; Lorelei King (US Army veteran); Representative Alice Peisch; several Select Board members and town officials.

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