188 of Norwell’s oldest veterans and their family members were treated to a fancy luncheon Wednesday by the town of Norwell veteran’s agent and the Emilson Branch of the South Shore YMCA in Hanover, with support from Mark and Lisa DiRico of Norwell. The 5th annual oldest veterans picnic was held at Laura’s Center for the Arts.
The below article is courtesy Sue Sheible of the Patriot Ledger.
NORWELL – The town of Norwell celebrated its eldest veterans for the fifth year in a row Wednesday with a fancy luncheon at Laura’s Center for the Arts, where they were entertained by an 18-piece swing band along with tributes to their service in World War II, Korea and Vietnam.
Nearly 190 guests — men and women veterans, many joined by a family member — gathered in the air-conditioned arts center. Veterans born before or in 1948 were invited; the oldest present were 96, 95 and 94 and served in World War II and Korea.
William Lavery Sr., “96 and seven months,” was the oldest and had come from the Queen Anne Nursing Home in Hingham with his son, William. “This is wonderful — It brings back many memories,” Lavery Sr. said. He served in the U. S. Navy during World War II, then signed up at the urging of a friend for the Naval Reserves and was called up during the Korean War. He worked as a machinist in the Navy and then for Boston Edison, retiring from the Pilgrim Nuclear Plant in Plymouth. Lavery recalled his Navy years as a happy time — his son said when he was growing up his father would talk about his experiences — despite some close calls.
Veterans Agent David Osborne started the luncheons five years ago to let the senior veterans know they were not forgotten. His brother, Wesley Osborne, 96, who served in the Coast Guard, is a former town tree warden and was with his son, Dave, 57. Osborne had a good appetite for the lobster rolls and steak tips. “You can’t beat that,” he said.
Susan Curtin, director of the council on aging, said the first two luncheons were organized by the veterans office and hosted at the Council on Aging through donations. Then Norwell residents Mark and Lisa DiRico stepped up to support the program financially, and it was expanded.
“It became an amazing event,” Curtin said. “It is an honor to be included.” Mark DiRico’s father was an Army captain in Europe during WWII.
Last year the DiRico’s hosted the luncheon under a large tent at their home on the North River. It was a very hot day and so this year, Mary Orne, director of development for the South Shore YMCA and Herb Emilson of the Emilson Y Branch, offered the use of Laura’s Center for the Arts, which is air-conditioned and has space for performance. The 18-member swing band Olde Boys on the Block played as the veterans and their family members dined. Laura’s Center staff also provided significant support.
David Osborne presented the DiRicos with gifts of jewelry made from Native American artifacts.
“This is just such a wonderful gift to the veterans — a lot of these people have served just unbelievably under all kinds of terrible conditions and it is just so nice to see them here,” Norma Morgan, 85, said. Morgan served as a Navy nurse in California from 1955 to 1957 and then as a civilian nurse at Chelsea Hospital and the Boston Veterans Administration Medical Center.
Jim Forti, 72, of Norwell invited his uncle Bob Forti of Marshfield, 94.
“I turned 18 in Boston and enlisted in Army Air Corps,” Bob Forti said. He eventually became a bombardier and then was an instructor of Chinese cadets. After the war ended, he worked at the Boston Fish Pier, went to college on the GI Bill, and went into banking with the First National Bank and then Rockland Federal Credit Union. Forti lived in Randolph and then Marshfield for 50 years.
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To read the original Patriot Ledger Article, visit: https://www.patriotledger.com/news/20190724/norwell-honors-its-oldest-veterans-at-5th-annual-luncheon