Cary Shuman Photos
The Town of Winthrop and American Legion Post 146 held the 2024 Veterans Day Program Monday on the Town Hall Lawn.
Town of Winthrop VSO Phil Ronan welcomed the large gathering of residents to the program. U.S. Army veteran Richrd Honan joined Ronan in leading the speaking program.
William Beattie, son of Michael and Kate Beattie, read a Veterans Day proclamation from Gov. Maura Healey.
David Kennedy, United States Coast Guard Retired, delivered the invocation.
Simon Pelletier of Boy Scout Troop 75 led the group in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
Sen. Lydia Edwards, Judge Advocate General in the Massachusetts Army National Guard, Rep. Jeff Turco, and Town Council President Jim Letterie brought the greetings from the state and the town of Winthrop.
U.S. Army Capt. Kelly Kneeland Dougherty, a 1996 graduate and former scholar-athlete at Winthrop High School, was the principal speaker for the program.
Dougherty delivered an inspiring address that also paid tribute to the generosity, voluneerism, and kindness of Richard Honan, the father of her Winthrop High classmate Christine Honan.
“Being a veteran from Winthrop, it’s always made me feel that people cared, and a feeling that Winthrop is invested in their veterans, from people like Rich Honan, Phil Ronan, institutions like the VFW, American Legion, and place like the Center Café downtown,” said Dougherty. “I’ve always felt the respect for veterans here in Winthrop is unquestioned.”
Dougherty said after graduating from Winthrop High School, she left for college on an ROTC scholarship, earning her Nursing degree from Syracuse University in 2000.
She began her active duty work as a Second Lieutenant within the Army Nurse Corps. Just after 9/11, she was stationed at the Walter Reed National Military Center in Washington D.C. and was soon deployed to Iraq in support of Operating Iraqi Freedom. Her unit was the 86th Combat Support Hospital and it was tasked with following the 101st Airborne Division as it moved from Kuwait into Fallujah and on to Baghdad, Iraq.
Dougherty recalled receiving a large care package from Richard Honan. “At this point his work is pretty legendary,” said Dougherty. It all started with packages he sent back in 2002. I received his first, and I can still remember getting it. It was awesome. He wanted me to know and every soldier that he sent a package to thereafter that nobody forgets them, and nobody forgets what they’re doing for their country.”
Speaking about her heroic service to her country, Dougherty said, “I don’t really identify as a woman veteran. I just identify as a veteran, and I’m proud of my service. I’m honored to be here today in support of the Women Veterans Memorial [that was unveiled Monday in front of the E.B. Newton School]. I hope that when some young girls are running across the street after they get their pizza at Nick’s, they see the memorial and know they can do whatever they set their mind to – whether in the military, in business, in police force or fire department. The opportunity is there, and this community will support them and have their best interests at heart. That’s what growing up in Winthrop has done for me. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.”
Emblem Club 15 led the presentation of flowers and laying of the wreath ceremony.
American Legion Post 145 performed Taps and conducted the Honor Guard Salute.
Tina Marie Calvi sang the National Anthem and God Bless America during the program.