THURSDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2023
SOUTH BOSTON ONLINE
VOLUME XIX- ISSUE 74
Honoring Veteran’s Day By Carol Masshardt “If people walk by and ask about the meaning of the f lags, and I can explain how important military service is and why f lags are at half-staff and other things they may not know then I consider it Mission Accomplished,” sa id Foley Apartments resident Michael “Mike” Hayes. Every branch of the service is recognized by a f lag or banner outside the complex on Columbia Road, and without fanfare, it is a place where service and sacrifice are remembered. In large part, this is due to the efforts of Mike. You may even hear patriotic music on given days, but more likely is a man quietly unfurling a f lag or placing one in a garden. “Sometimes people get out of their cars and stand at attention for a few minutes,”
and that is a good neighborhood response. It is respect,” he said. Mike Hayes spent a short time in the Navy Reserves, but his passion for the military began at eleven years old. “I was the only child of a single mother, Caroline Hayes, living at Old Harbor/Mary Ellen McCormick. She said, ‘you’re not going to be running the streets or end up in jail or buried.’ She got me to the Fargo Building where the US Naval Sea Cadet Corp, a program started by President John F. Kennedy was located, and I became a cadet at eleven and stayed until eighteen.” The cadet environment appealed to Mike Hayes, in a way that his mother may have imagined. “There was a camaraderie, and I met kids from all over Boston and some from other parts of the state. What Continued on Page 3
A Sea of Flags
About 40 people, including some Boston Bruins, planted a sea of flags in honor of fallen heroes at the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Memorial in the Seaport Wednesday afternoon. Andy Farrar (from left), 11-year-old David Collett, and Will Smith put the final touches on the last flags to be placed. Farrar and Smith are both with the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes organization. The flags, planted for Veterans Day, honor all of our brave servicemen and women who gave their lives for our country.
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American Veterans Day: November 11, 2023 On that day, think of them as “Global Veterans”.
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eterans Day is just around the corner: t wo days from now on Saturday, November 11, all American veterans, living and dead, will be honored. Thanks will be especially offered to all living veterans, who have served the United State honorably in war or in peace and who are still with us. There’ll be gatherings in veterans’ posts, governmenta l remembra nces, a nd rel ig iou s obser va nc e s dedicated to living veterans and to those who have passed on since their time in America’s military services – in particular, to those who saw combat and lived to return to the United States. But here are two questions:
Did you ever think about how much our militar y veterans have done for so many other nations, for more t ha n a hundred years? Could they be called “Global Veterans”? American veterans on active dut y have ser ved bravely in major global wars for more than a century, beginning with World War I on April 6, 1917. Their participation in the First World War led directly to the Armistice 19 months later, which formally went into effect at 11 a.m. on November 11, 1918. And as you know, November 11 became a nationa l holiday in 1938 and was renamed A merica’s Veterans Day under President D wight D. Eisenhower on Tuesday, June 1, 1954 – 70 years ago, as of next June 1. It’s no exaggeration to say
that America’s veterans, because of their bravery and attention to dut y both in peacetime and in war, have significantly benef ited the entire world. American veterans have literally changed histor y. In World War II, their bravery won the War. Certainly, other A llied forces were also made up of ver y brave men and women. But A merican soldiers were assigned everywhere. Basically, they served in huge numbers in both major theaters of the Second World War – across the Atlantic in Europe and at the far end of the Pacific Ocean. They served as well as in countless other places around the globe, including at many militar y stations right here in the U.S. Their non-stop bravery made a global difference ever y where. Then t hese vetera ns returned to go to college, ra ise fa milies, a nd become contributing A merican citizens once again – loyal to the core, both in the military a nd a s civ i l ia n vetera n s. Korea, Vietnam, and The Middle East followed – all requiring military service that would ultimately result in service men and women returning home as veterans. When they returned, they either continued in the service or they became upstanding civilians. When
you think about it, what would America and the whole world have become without them? And give a few moments of thought (and maybe a prayer) to those veterans who are still suffering from wounds, both physically painful and mentally tortuous. We owe them. A lot! South Boston’s veterans remain extremely active. They have f u nd ra isers, spon sor athletics, take key parts in community endeavors (like the Evacuation/St. Patrick ’s Day Parade), and perform countless good works behind the scenes. And even though this seems to be a simple statement, they are (very) nice men and women. You rarely meet a South Boston veteran who isn’t smiling and willing to pass the time of day with you. They are thankful to be among the living, and they really enjoy contributing to our community. We ’ve a l re a d y a s k e d , “W hat wou ld A meric a be without its veterans?”. It’s perfectly a ll right to a sk, “What would South Boston be without its veterans?” We’ll let you answer that yourself. But please remember the major, positive inf luences our American veterans had on the whole world, when they were on active duty overseas and in combat. A merican veterans are truly “Global Veterans”.
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THURSDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2023
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Continued from Page 1
Honoring Veterans kid from South Boston gets to go away on an aircraft carrier or do anti-drug runs in the Caribbean,” he said. A difficult time in history with the Vietnam War and unrest, the program became a grounding place for a young man with a strong feeling about serving. He also graduated from New Mission Park School. Mike went on to be a Commanding Officer for the Boston Division of the Cadet Corp as an adult, a volunteer position that allowed him to mentor cadets that went on to do valuable things. “There were twins who went to the Top Gun Fighters School and became instructors,” he said proudly. Giving back comes as naturally to this man as gaining wealth may to others, and his leadership is recognized by fellow tenants and others in the community. A f ter ser ving in the Reser ves, Mike Hayes became a groundskeeper for Boston Housing Aut horit y and had a family of three daughters, staying primarily in South Boston or nearby. “When I moved here fourteen years ago, the veterans, and there are fewer than there used
to be, said they didn’t feel they had representation. I couldn’t change the past, but I knew I could affect the present, and I started honoring veterans with f lags and ceremonies. There is good support from the politicians and veterans here,” he said. Mike Hayes is the first to say that he doesn’t have the deepest or longest military service, but he is one to honor veterans year-round in ways that matter. “Without their sacrif ice,
this wouldn’t be the nation it is,” said Mike Hayes, and keeping that in mind has won him a proud place in a community
that is willing to pay attention. Wishing Mike and a ll vets a day of respect and peace from a grateful communit y
From Stephen, Caroline, Kristen and Council President Ed Flynn U.S. Navy (retired), Veteran Operation Enduring Freeedon
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SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
City Council Election
outh Boston Online will simply mention that Ed Flynn, an uncha llenged ca ndidate for re-election as District 2 City Councilor, was successful. In addition, that means Ed will finish his term as President of Boston’s City Council, a position he has held since January, 2022. Congratulations, Ed, on your continuing ser vice to South
Boston and the City of Boston. As you know, Dorchester’s Frank Baker, the District 3 City Councilor, chose not to run again after 10 years of service to the City of Boston. John FitzGerald, who is also from Dorchester and is considered a moderate candidate, won the District 3 election to replace Frank. For your information, a portion of South Boston near
Andrew Square is in District 3. Results for the four At-Large City Council seats included three re-elections of incumbent Councilors – Erin Murphy, Ruthzee Louijeune, and Julia Mejia. Between them, these three received almost 60% of the total votes cast for all eight Councilor-at-Large candidates. A s of Wednesday morning, Murphy and Louijeune were
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Volunteers and Drivers greatly needed please meet at 9:00 am Thursday 11/23 @ St Monica’s 331 Old Colony Ave
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checks made payable to South Boston Seaport Collaborative Memo - Thanksgiving Dinner 2023
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tied for the top vote count in the 2023 At-Large race. Hen r y S a nt a n a , w ho was endorsed by Mayor Wu, was elected to the fourth City Councilor-at-Large seat. Ba sic a l ly v ie wed, Sa nt a na won the At-Large seat that had been vacated by South Boston’s Michael Flaherty. The Mayor a lso endorsed three other winning City Council candidates – Pepen (District 5), Weber (District 6), and Durkan (District 8). Durkan already occupied the District 8 seat, after she won a special election in July. As expected, Anderson beat Garrison in District 7.
Hearts, Hugs & Hope: A Virtual Alzheimer’s Support Group Compass on the Bay November 16, 2023, 6:00 pm. Call 617-268-5450 or email Program Director Erin Bollinger at ebollinger@compassonthebay. com for more information and to register for the virtual meeting. This is a virtual event sponsored by Compass on the Bay Assisted Living and Memory Support Community, 1380 Columbia Road, South Boston
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THURSDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2023
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A Talent Show at the Fourth:“When I’m Sixty-Four ,,, “ by Rick Winterson
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ev. Burns Stanfield, his musical staff, and tuneful members of the congregation at South Boston’s Fourth Presbyterian Church put on a memorable Talent Show. It consisted of an hour and a half of extremely well-performed musical numbers by singers and instrumentalists of all ages. The music varied from religious to classical to pop to country. Donations were requested that were specifically for support of the Fourth Church’s semi-monthly food pantry programs that provide free food to 200 families, as well as the Fourth’s Meals Program, which serves over 120 free dinners three times a week. And there was a delightful surprise at the end. We entered a little before the Talent Show’s opening. We were treated to an advance look at the Fourth’s Childrens Theater singing selections for “Little Mermaid”. Sheila Buckman’s beautiful vocal of “Amazing Grace”
opened the performances; young Abe Sanchez sang an adorable “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”. William Lee chimed in on the piano with a Rachmaninov Prelude. Later in the Show, Mathew Fang played Mozart’s “Turkish March”. Classical music was an integral part of the Talent Show. Janine Warrington juggled, sang, and danced a la Gene Kelly “Singin’ in the Rain”. Alison Slade did “Evita”. Jack Colantuoni sang; Ro Robinson performed “Orpheus”, an original from Mythopoeia. Alexa Jackson told a “MOTH Story”. Felicia Slade sang “Naughty”. Tim Sanchez,
Michelle Sanchez, and Mariko Meier were “Wildflowers”. Barry Montero rendered “This Little Light”. Country music took over for a while. There was actually a square dance performed along the Fourth’s main aisle – the audience took part with enthusiastic dos-a-dos! The Jacob’s Family played “Lean on Me”. The evening proceeded with the Teen Theater’s “Comedy Tonight”. Laura Basler performed her beautiful interpretation of Brandi Carlisle’s “That Wasn’t Me”, and the Fourth’s choir ended with “God Only Knows”. And Rev. Burns Stanfield anchored the whole
musical fete with his expert direction and his highly skillful piano playing. The “delightful surprise” mentioned above took place when the musical part of the Fourth’s evening concluded. As if on a signal, the audience and performers all stood up and wished the Rev. Burns a Happy 64th Birthday. Saturday, November 4, was his actual birthday date. He received a massive birthday cake from the cast. This was immediately followed by everyone singing (and playing) that classic Beatle’s song, “When I’m Sixty-Four …”. We said “classic”. The song is credited jointly to McCartney/ Lennon, but Paul himself wrote the melody in 1956, when he was in his early teens. About ten years later, it was finally released in the album “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”. Then, after “64” ended, all of us had to sing the customary “Happy Birthday to You” for Burns. And Rev. Burns’s party after the talent show was a great success. His huge, and hugely delicious, birthday cake was entirely consumed before the evening ended.
State Representative, David Biele
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THURSDAY NOVEMBER 16, 2023
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
Mass/Cass Finally Cleaned Up and Reopened by Rick Winterson
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ecently, the cleanup and reopening of A t k i n son St re e t began, after the remaining blue polypropylene tents were removed. According to news messages from the City of Boston, all those on Mass/Cass had been offered shelter, as well as safe keeping for whatever possessions they still had. And this time around, it seems to have worked. A personal walk up and down Atkinson Street, between Southampton and Bradston Streets, revealed an open corridor that is usable by both cars and pedestrians. At the same time! Small amounts of litter were present, but nothing more than what accumulates on our city streets everywhere else.
The City of Boston Engagement Center and its tented eating tables have yet to reopen, but
Happy Veterans Day
ErinforBoston.com
t he C ou nt y’s C orrectiona l C omple x is in bu sine ss. We understand that out of perhaps 100 individuals who remained in tents at Mass/Cass at the end of October, many opted to put themselves into recovery facilities at various levels. Others chose to stay out of doors without
shelter in the overall Newmarket/ Sout ha mpton a rea. One individual was caught changing clothes behind Andrew Station. Overall, what had been the Mass/Cass location last month now looks very good. We can only hope that after nine years, Mass/Cass never returns.
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THURSDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2023
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South Boston Resident Contributes to Annual Heroes in Health Care Gala
NA Care, the first organized visiting nurse association in the United States, raised nearly $260,000 for patient care services during the annual Heroes in Health Care Gala at the Mandarin Oriental, Boston. Heroes in Health Care is VNA Care’s signature fundraising event and has raised millions in essential funding for home health and hospice care in Massachusetts. This year’s gala was supported by more than 40 sponsors and underwriters, including businesses and philanthropists. Presenting Sponsors included Corridor and Mutual of America. Trustee Sponsors included Drs. Joshua and Amy Boger and the Boger Family Foundation and Homecare Homebase. “The philanthropic support we receive from our generous donors is critical in helping VNA Care continue to meet the growing needs of our patients. Due to the generosity of so many individuals, the Heroes in Health Gala has raised over $4.2 million since its inception. We are incredibly honored by the community’s unwavering support for VNA Care,” said Laura Wise,
From left, Heroes in Health Care Gala Committee members and volunteers Renee Picard Walsh, Jessica Piper, Laura Wise of South Boston, Felicia Avery, Donna Dupee, Marie Sagaille, Dr. Catherine Frasco, and Pat Kelleher of South Boston. Photo by Molly Hamill Photography. manager of fund development, a South Boston resident. During the event, Latoyia Edwards of NBC Boston and NECN, the event emcee, presented the Heroes Awards to Alexandra Drane, co-founder and CEO, ARCHANGELS, for leveraging a data-driven engagement platform to reframe how caregivers are seen, honored, and supported, and Lauren A. Smith, MD, MPH, chief health equity and strategy officer, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Foundation, for driving strategic efforts focused on addressing systemic racism and
other structural inequities and their impact on vulnerable populations. The Gala featured musical performances by contemporary violaist Jeremy Green, the Boston Arts Academy’s The Spirituals, and Angelena & the Unit. The evening also featured David Brown as Heroes in Health Care fund the mission ambassador. South Boston resident Patricia Kelleher and former Executive Director of the Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts served on the Heroes in Health Care Gala Committee, volunteering her time to ensure the success of this important fundraiser.
VNA Care has a 137year history of providing health care in patients’ homes and the community. The nonprofit provides a comprehensive range of home health, palliative, and hospice care in more than 200 Eastern and Central Massachusetts communities. VNA Care is able to provide its numerous nursing and patient care services through the support of individual and corporate supporters. To learn about sponsoring the 2024 Gala, please contact Laura Wise, manager of fund development, at 617-8866460 or Laura_Wise@vnacare.org
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THURSDAY NOVEMBER 16, 2023
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ovember 1st was the Feast Day of the Solemnity of All Saints, the day when we venerate all the holy men and women who have been canonized a Saint by the Church. Saints are persons in heaven (officially canonized or not), who lived heroically virtuous lives, offered their life for others, or were martyred for the faith, and who are worthy of imitation. Here are some quotes from some of our Saints...”I would like the angels of Heaven to be among us.” -St. Brigid. “The power of prayer has been understood by all the saints, and especially, perhaps, by those who have illuminated the world with the light of Christ’s teaching.” “When I die, I will send down a shower of roses from the heavens, I will spend my heaven by doing good on earth.”― Saint Therese of Lisieux. “I am not afraid. God is with me. I was born for this!” - Saint Joan of Arc. “Christ beside me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ within me, Christ
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Honoring All Saints Day beneath me, Christ above me”-Saint Patrick. “If God can work through me, he can work through anyone.” Saint Francis of Assisi. “Pray, Hope and don’t Worry.” “Fear not, for God is always with you.” -Saint Padre Pio. During All Saints’ Day the students at South Boston Catholic Academy had a chance to watch their classmates in 4A and 4B, who dressed up as their favorite Saint and participated in the All Saints’ Day Mass that was televised on CatholicTV. The Pastor, Father Rober Casey, was the celebrant at this Mass. This Mass can be seen on https://www.catholictv.org/catholictvmass/wednesday-mass-all-saints.html. The 4th graders also led the SBCA Community in the All Saints’ Day Mass at St. Brigid Church. They did an excellent job at this Mass as Greeters, Readers and Bring up the Gifts to the Altar. At the end of this Mass the 4th graders told us about their favorite Saint. The Pastor, Father Robert Casey and the Parochial Vicar, Father Peter Schirripa were the
celebrants at this Mass. Thank you to our wonderful 4th grade students and their teachers, Ms. Guildford and Mrs. Coleman for doing such a remarkable job honoring their favorite Saints. The SBCA Children’s choir did an outstanding job singing the songs at this Mass which included
the “Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi” and “When the Saints Go Marching In.” They were directed by the Music Teacher, Mr. Carol Bunyi and the Parish Music Director and Organist, Ms. Kathy Clancy. “Let us shine with the light of Jesus and become like Saints.” -Unknown.
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THURSDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2023
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THURSDAY NOVEMBER 16, 2023
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South Boston Chamber of Commerce Networking Social Join the South Boston Chamber of Commerce and South Boston NDC at Loco for a networking social on Wednesday, Nov. 15 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Meet other small business owners, hear about the Christmas Stroll, and have fun.
The Law Office of
Paul J. Gannon PC General Practice of Law
Criminal Defense Personal Injury Motor Vehicle Accidents Establishment of Corporations, LLCs Wills & Estate Planning Real Estate Litigation Probate No Charge for Initial Consultation
82 West Broadway South Boston, MA (617)269-1993 pgannon@paulgannonlaw.com
Loco Taqueria & Oyster Bar 412. West Broadway South Boston, MA 02127
Appetizers and beverages will be served. Please RSVP by Nov. 12. See you there! Please let us know if you are coming by reserving a spot using the link below.
bit.ly:https://bit.ly/3QojGwQ
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Veterans Day Giveback Bash Saturday
This Saturday, Fun, Food, and Thanks to Vets and the South Boston Community
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o express our collective appreciation of our U.S. Military Veterans, give thanks to the community, and have some family fun and games, Core Investments, Inc. today invited South Boston neighborhood residents and visitors to Saturday’s Veterans Day Giveback Bash, noon to 4 p.m. on The LOT, located at 383 Dorchester Ave. The LOT -- in the new and emerging On the Dot neighborhood along Dorchester Avenue near the Andrew Square MBTA Red Line Station -- will feature active opportunities for expressions of k indness for k ids and adults, a long with free children’s activities, food trucks, and music from t he ba nd Cher r ie B omb. The team at C or e Investments, a two-decade-old Boston real estate investment a nd development compa ny, created The LOT for a fall program of music, food and f un, the compa ny’s newest on g oi n g c om m it m e nt to the emerging On the Dot
neighborhood in South Boston. “Spend the day giving thanks to our veterans and giv ing back to t he loc a l c om mu n it y,” sa id M ichael Cahill, Senior Vice President f or D e ve lopme nt . “He a d to The LOT and join us on Veterans Day, November 11th.” Activities for k ids will include face painting, balloon artists, Roaming Railroad Rides, sand art, carnival booths and of course a bounce house. Yard games, including corn hole, ladder ball, and Connect 4, will be played on the turf space. Giving back opportunities will include writing letters for U.S. troops and first responders, cha lk ing sidewa lk messa ges of hope, f i l ling donat ion bins, and chances to sign up for volu nte er c om mu n it y work. Giving oppor tunities include Pine Street Inn, South Boston Neighborhood House, a nd Crad le s to Crayon s. There will be refreshments, beer a nd w ine, a nd food trucks will include Northeast of the Border a nd Clover.
Please RSVP at https://bit. ly/3s6Ycfc .
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2023
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Parade Chief Marshall Gerard C. (Jerry) Wheeler, Commander, USN (Ret)
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erry was born on August 21, 1939 to Jerry & Ann (Orchard) Wheeler of South Boston and grew up in South Boston’s Old Colony housing development on Carmody Ct with his siblings George, Diane, Kenny, Judy, Mary, Chuck & Carol. He atended St. Augustine’s Grammar School, The Patrick F. Gavin Middle School and graduated South Boston High School. He would further his education by atending The College of the Holy Cross where he received a BS in Education. He would later go on to atend the US Naval War College in Newport, RI and then earn a MS in International Affairs from George Washington University and a MS in Management from Troy State University
Commander Wheeler (Ret) has served our nation and the United States Navy with honor and distinction for over 22 years on Active Duty and then an additional 22 years as Senior Instructor, Navy Junior ROTC unit (Warick HS, Newport News, VA). During his time on Active Duty, Cmd Wheeler served in many roles: Maintenance OfficerNorfolk VA with a deployment to Guantanamo Bay , Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis, Flight InstructorCoronado, CA, Administrative OfficeBunh Thuy, Vietnam, Liaison Officer to Japanese Maritime Self Defense ForcesYokosuka, Japan, Operations Officer— Cecil Field, FL, Commanding Office of Flag Administrative Unit assigned to Commander Pacific Fleet-Coronado, CA, Safety Officer USS MidwayYoksuka, Japan & Air Operations Officer,USNavalAirStation-Rota,Spain.
Join us for a UMass Boston
community meeting where we will share campus and community updates. Refreshments and Parking will be provided
Monday, November 13 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Intergrated Science Complex University of Massachusetts Boston 100 Morrissey Boulevard Register Online:
24.087sw
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THURSDAY NOVEMBER 16, 2023
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