The Wayland Veterans Day Ceremony – hosted by the Wayland Public Ceremonies Committee – will be held outside at the Wayland Veterans Memorial (Wayland Town Building, 41 Cochituate Road, Wayland, MA) on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at 11:00 AM.
The program will begin with a performance of the National Anthem, sung by Wayland native, Victoria Gitten. The Posting of the Colors and Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Wayland Boy Scout Troop 1, Cub Scout Pack 1 and the Girl Scouts. An Invocation will be given by the Reverand Tom Petter of Trinitarian Congregational Church of Wayland. The Invocation will be followed by welcoming remarks from Chair of the Public Ceremonies Committee and Purple Heart recipient, Richard P. Turner, USN RET.
This year’s Keynote Address will be given by Wayland resident Mark Swanke. Swanke joined the Air Force in July 1978 and served as a jet engine mechanic on F-16 fighter aircraft. He was on active duty for four years, achieving the rank of E4 and Sergeant. Swanke is currently a Captain and pilot for Delta Airlines.
The Keynote Address will be followed by the presentation of Wayland’s Freedom Prize. This year’s Freedom Prize recipient is Grant Lee, a 2023 graduate of Wayland High School who is now serving and studying at West Point Academy with the US Army. The parents of Grant Lee will receive the award and speak on behalf of their son as Lee is currently serving in active-duty status.
The names of those that appear on Wayland’s Veteran Memorial – who paid the ultimate sacrifice for the Town of Wayland and their country – will be read by Alexander Irwin, a junior at Wayland High School. The reading will be followed by the American Legion Post# 133 Rifle Salute, a wreath-laying ceremony and the playing of Echo Taps by members of the Wayland High School Band. The Veterans Day Ceremony will conclude with the singing of America the Beautiful and the Benediction.
Light refreshments will be served in the large conference room at Wayland Town Hall after the conclusion of the ceremony.
We welcome all who can attend and invite those who are unable to attend to view the ceremony on WayCAM.
