Thomas Kelley received the “Profile in Courage” Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2018 Somerville Heroes Salute on May 19. ~ Photo by Shira Laucharoen

By Shira Laucharoen  

The 2018 Somerville Heroes Salute honored eight Somerville residents who served the nation in war, during a ceremony at the Holiday Inn on May 19. Held for the third time annually, the Salute gave tribute to the heroes by recognizing their loyalty and dedication, as well as the ways they impacted their home communities.

“Those fortunate enough to come home took what they learned in the military and applied it in their everyday lives,” said commissioner of veterans’ services Bryan Bishop. “They are an example of excellence that a lot of people look up to and admire.”

During the program, six “Heroes Square” dedications were bestowed on honorees who had served in the United States Army and Marines. The recipients were Alfred Byrne, Anthony Graziano, Anthony Guerriero, James Parziale, Walter Pero, and Robert Waters. They had collectively fought in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Francis Ganat was the first Korean War Veteran to be inducted into the “Korean War Veteran” Hall of Fame. Thomas Kelley, a retired Navy captain who had received the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War, was granted the “Profile in Courage” Lifetime Achievement Award.

Each honoree was introduced through a video celebrating their lives and services, told from the perspectives of their loved ones. Family members told stories of the heroes’ experiences growing up in Somerville, while reflecting on their compassion, humor, and kindness. The ceremony also presented musical interludes performed by The Apollo Club, who sang The Armed Services Medley and America the Beautiful.

The Salute, which was held on Armed Forces Day, was coordinated by Mayor Joseph Curtatone and the Somerville Veterans’ Commission on Monuments, Memorials, and Dedications. The event confirmed that the contributions of Somerville’s war heroes will be held in memory, by honoring what they stood for.