Veterans Honored At Annual Cookout

Winthrop and area veterans were honored at the  fifth annual Salute to Veterans event Sunday at the Town Landing.

John Floyd, former Exalted Ruler of the Winthrop Lodge of Elks, and Tim Gover, U.S. Coast Guard veteran and Captain of the Joseph K. Kennedy utility boat, coordinated the tribute to the men and women who served the country.

“It’s the annual event that we hold to pay tribute to our veterans,” said Floyd.

Town Council President Peter Gill thanked the veterans who gathered at the Landing for a boat ride and cookout.

Elks Exalted Ruler Frances Minichello was among the community leaders recognizing the veterans for their contributions.

“It was very nice gesture by Fran to come by and thank the veterans,” said Floyd. “There was an event at the Elks Sunday but she took time out to come to our program. Emblem Club President Anne  Marie Gardener was also here and she helped with the cookout.”

The veterans enjoyed a menu of barbecued hot dogs, cheeseburgers, sausages, and chicken.

Floyd said Gover launched the event five years ago when he was conducting the town’s ferry service.

“It’s gotten bigger every year. There is a parade of boats in the harbor waiting to salute out veterans. We go out by the U.S.S. Constitution and circle around and come back to Winthrop. It was a quite a day and the veterans really enjoyed it.”