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PERMIT #67
Peabody, MA POSTAL CUSTOMER
Vol. 3, No. 21
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Friday, May 25, 2018
Eleven families to receive Medal of Liberty Memorial Day weekend festivities begin with flagging of veterans’ graves Friday By Christopher Roberson
T
his Memorial Day weekend, 11 families will receive Massachusetts Medals of Liberty in memory of their loved ones who never came home from war. Veterans Agent Stephen Patten said the weekend’s events will begin with the flagging of veterans’ graves at 9 a.m. on May 25. On May 27, a Mass will be held at 8:30 a.m. at St. Adelaide’s Church (712 Lowell St.). After Mass, there will be a series of events sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. They will take place at the School Administration Building (27 Lowell St.), Oak Grove Cemetery on Pine Street, the Civil War Monument in Peabody Square and the Lexington Monument on Washington Street. A street sign at the corner of Washington Street and Pierpont Street will also be dedicated in memory of Pvt. Ralph Yonis. A resident of Ward 3, Yonis was killed in action during World War II. The festivities for May 28 are scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m.
Shown is a scene from last year’s Memorial Day Parade. This year’s parade will step off on Monday at 11 a.m. from the intersection of Allens Lane and Washington Street. The parade will then march for one mile, culminating with a ceremony at City Hall (24 Lowell St.).
with a ceremony at Cedar Grove Cemetery on Cedar Grove Avenue. A cannon will be fired at the beginning of the ceremony. The Memorial Day Parade will step off at 11 a.m. from the inter-
section of Allens Lane and Washington Street. The parade will then march for one mile, culminating with a ceremony at City Hall (24 Lowell St.). Patten said that in addition to
presenting the Medals of Liberty, Mayor Edward Bettencourt has arranged to have a Gold Star Family Float in the parade. “This is the second year that the mayor has done both of these things,”
he said. Patten also said the Peabody Veterans Shuttle, which was donated to the city by Honda North, will be making its first appearance in the parade.
Eight high school students chosen Generosity Takes the Wheel at Michaud Mitsubishi for George Peabody Medals By Christopher Roberson
E
ight seniors from Peabody Veterans Memorial High School have etched their names in history as recipients of the elite George Peabody Merit Medal. A May 16 ceremony marked the 163rd year that a select group of students have received the highly coveted commendation. The medals themselves will be awarded at graduation on June 1. This year’s winners are Deanna Ruggiero, Nuno Bazarian, Valedictorian Ryan Cormier, Andee Mae Sims, Ryan Dalleva, Gabrielle Morton, Sarah Buckley and Sarah Abdulghani. “This is a big moment for all of us,” said Mayor Edward Bettencourt. “The eight that are being honored here today are truly the cream of the crop – congratulations, well done.” State Representative Thomas Walsh said the journey be-
gan when those students were in kindergarten. Now, he said, the onus is on them to share their knowledge with others. “I look forward to the years ahead, hearing about your continued success,” said Walsh. State Representative Theodore Speliotis said the eight medal recipients exemplify the true meaning of excellence.“We as politicians throw the word‘excellence’ around a lot,” he said. However, Speliotis said that in reality, real excellence is extremely difficult to attain. “Most of us are just average,” he said. Interim Superintendent of Schools Dr. Herbert Levine said the medal recipients have proven themselves both in and out of the classroom. Although they will be leaving the district next month, he said, they will never be forgotten. “We in Peabody take tremendous pride in who
EIGHT | SEE PAGE 2
After winning a pre-owned Mitsubishi Galant as a part of Michaud Mitsubishi’s Keys to Success program, Danvers High junior Amanda Donahue (left) gave away her prize to her childhood friend, Reagan O’Shea. The act of generosity moved many at the drawing, with owner Kevin Michaud calling it “unprecedented.” See story and photo highlights on page 5. (Advocate photo by JD Mitchell)