Under crisp autumn skies, the town came together at Abbot Hall to honor the courage, sacrifice, and enduring legacy of America’s veterans.
A formal proclamation from Gov. Maura Healey was read aloud by Marine Corps Veteran and Select Board member Moses Grader, designating Nov. 11 as Veterans Day. The proclamation urged all residents to “take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly in its observance,” recognizing the state’s ongoing commitment to veterans and their families.
The ceremony’s guest speaker, Combat Veteran Tom Mathers, shared powerful reflections drawn from his service as an Apache helicopter pilot during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.
Mathers, a Marblehead native, spoke about his experiences leading missions in Iraq, his continued work in biotechnology, and his service on the Veterans Affairs Research Advisory Committee focusing on Gulf War illnesses.
Commander of the VFW Ronny Knight also said that Mathers “continues to serve his country on the Research Advisory Committee for the Department of Veterans Affairs, where he focuses on veterans’ illnesses of the Gulf War and the poor troops.”
Balancing humor and emotion, Mathers emphasized the spirit of camaraderie and resilience that unites all who have served.
“Veterans don’t seek the limelight,” he said. “We just want to get stuff done. We’ll do it in the dirt, in the cold, wherever it takes — because we love our country.”
He also paid tribute to the families of service members.
“They go through the same experience we do. They may not be in harm’s way, but they often carry a much greater burden,” he reflected, speaking of his own family’s sacrifices and the pride he feels for his son, a U.S. Navy SEAL currently serving in active duty.
A moving moment came when the Medal of Fidelity was presented posthumously to the family of Harry Christensen, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Marblehead native who passed away earlier this year.
The medal, which was presented by David Rodgers, the previous commander of the VFW, and established under Massachusetts law, honors service members who died as a result of combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, or exposure to toxins during service.
Rodgers said Christensen “came home from the Marines after being seriously wounded, spent a lot of time in the hospital, went to college, (and) became a lawyer.”
“Harry helped a lot of people in this town, a lot of people, and he didn’t really want the credit for it. He did things no one knows about, but he was a friend of mine and fantastic man, almost electric,” Rodgers said.
Christensen, remembered as a dedicated lawyer and community advocate, was praised for his quiet acts of kindness and lifelong service to others.
His wife, Marsha Christensen, accepted the award on behalf of the family, her gratitude evident as she spoke of her husband’s legacy of compassion and courage.
“It was a well-deserved honor for him. He really gave himself to this community,” she said.
As the program concluded, speakers and community leaders extended thanks to all who contributed — the Marblehead High School chorus, local Cub Scouts, and countless volunteers. Attendees were invited to gather afterward for a luncheon at the VFW Post 2005, where stories and fellowship continued in the spirit of unity and gratitude.
Mathers closed his remarks with a signature smile and one final message to the crowd: “There’s only one thing that’s important in life — Go Army.”
