Westport will mark the sacrifices of veterans everywhere with a full slate of events in the coming days, from breakfasts to school assemblies, and a solemn ceremony at the Beech Grove Cemetery on Veterans’ Day Monday, Nov. 11. Speeches will stir the crowd, honor guards will stand and if past years are an example, hundreds will come out to show respect and thanks for what the town’s 900-plus veterans, and those across the country, have been through.

But after this week’s events, many of the town’s former service members will go back to the matter at hand — caring for those who have served and are now getting on in years, teaching youngsters about their civic duty, helping support community members facing hard times, and proudly continuing with the mission they took on when they joined up 30, 40, 60 years ago — to give what they can.

Though their days in uniform may be over, one member said, “service never ends.”

One recent morning at the American Legion Post #145 on Sanford Road, the first floor meeting room bustled as about a dozen post members got together like they do often, to talk about Legion business, the state of the town and the world, and just to spend time together.

They talked about the significant improvements coming to the old one room schoolhouse that has served as their home since the 1930s, about how the hall’s new chairlift and other improvements will brighten it up and help make it more accessible to older and disabled residents, how they hope to increase community participation and education, and why they stay active.

There was plenty of ribbing — “the last Civil War veteran left,” one member joked, nudging and pointing to a friend next to him.

“When we get together we laugh like hell,” said Richard Benevides, a Vietnam veteran. “The Marines take a hell of a beating, but they’ve got it coming.”

But nobody ever gets offended — “It’s OK, because we all served,” said Carol Freitas, United States Marine Corps veteran and the town’s Veterans’ Service Officer. “There’s that common bond.”

What’s not a joke is a deep sense of camaraderie, shared experience and continued devotion to each other and the town. Though few served together, they consider themselves permanently bonded — Air Force veteran John Tunney, who joined up in 1963; Barry Borden, Navy, who enlisted in 1970 — “no relation to Lizzy, far as I know,” he joked. Maurice Brousseau, Navy. Wilfrid Marois, Vietnam, 1965. And others.

“I’m not from here,” George Stelljes said. “It’s a sense of camaraderie, community, brotherhood and sisterhood. We all have something in common. I was a member of the Legion in Kansas and when I came here, everyone accepted me as one of them.”

“It was the right thing to do,” said Maurice May, explaining why he joined after serving in Germany during the Cold War.

“For me, I wasn’t born in this country,” Manuel Bagaco, who comes from the Açorean island of Pico, added. “They accepted me when I came here. I’ve always had a sense of wanting to give back. Here there is a sense of belonging.”

Changing times

That hasn’t always been the case even in a place like Westport, which has a proud history of service and now, according to many, community support that is second to none, and in Freitas the best veterans’ service officer in the state.

“When we came back from Vietnam, we weren’t well liked,” Richard Benevides said.

“It wasn’t easy,” said Arthur Cadieux.

“I’ll never forget the first time I took a (commercial) flight” as his term of service came to an end, Stelljes added. “My first sergeant called me in and ordered me not to wear a uniform on the plane. American Airlines, in America? I couldn’t believe it.”

“For many, many years, no one would thank us or acknowledge us,” Benevides added. “Now that’s changed.”

“Now people go out of their way to thank you,” someone piped from the back of the room.

Last week’s meeting made that clear.

Post president Antone Vieira said he is incredibly thankful that Community Preservation Committee funds approved by voters at a previous Town Meeting are funding a good portion of the renovations, along with donations and other funds.

He said he can tell many other stories about Westport’s support of its veterans, from a business that spent thousands to purchase and donate grave markers at Beech Grove, to the massive support received when a veterans’ memorial was planned and erected at Beech Grove a few years ago, to the regular outreach from members of the police and fire departments, and the open arms they get from school officials who regularly ask them to speak to kids about patriotism and service.

Vieira said he is proud also that the hall is often a busy place, between meetings of the Boy Scouts, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and other groups.

While it may not always be visible to the public, he said, Legion members and members of other veterans’ organizations here do their best to earn that respect and are often busy behind the scenes, helping in big ways and small.

They send honor guards to veterans’ funerals, make donations when they find a need, hold fund-raisers and offer other support to community members whether they served or not.

Even as veterans age, the service continues, he said:

“We try to be good members of the community. The town has been good to us."

What's coming?

Westport will host several Veterans’ Day-related events over the coming days. They include:

Veterans’ Breakfast

The Friends of the Westport Council on Aging will host a veterans’ breakfast at 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov;. 7, at the Council on Aging. It is open to veterans and their spouses.

Westport schools

Join veterans at Westport’s three schools Friday, Nov. 8, as their service is honored by students, faculty and staff. Ceremonies are planned at the Elementary School (8 a.m.), Middle School (9:45 a.m.) and the Macomber School (11:15 a.m.).

For more information, or if you are a veteran, contact Veterans’ Service Officer Carol Freitas at 636-1028.

Monday, Nov. 11

The town marks Veterans Day Monday at 10 a.m., with a ceremony at the Beech Grove Cemetery. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved inside to the Town Hall Annex gymnasium. You can find updates at www.westport-ma.com/veterans-services, or www.facebook.com/westportvso.

At Monday’s ceremony, Freitas will give welcoming remarks and an invocation by Rev. Doctor Kate Galop will follow. Westport Middle High School students, under the direction of Chris Nunes, will lead the crowd in the National Anthem.

The Wreath layers this year will be US Army veteran Edmond L. Moreau, and Edmond W. Moreau.

George Stelljes (US Army, retired) will recite the Veterans Day poem, and Shana Teas, chair of the board of selectmen, will give remarks.

This year’s keynote speaker is Justin Latini, a member of the U.S. Navy Veterans, president of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 207, secretary of the Massahusetts State Council for the VVQ, and National Region 1 Director of the VVA.

Sam Manley, US Navy veteran, will play the bagpipes, and a closing prayer will be offered by Galop. The ceremony will conclude with Taps.

Said Freitas: “Veterans Day is observed each year on November 11, marking the anniversary of the end of World War I. On this day, we gather to celebrate and honor America’s veterans, including the hundreds of veterans who currently call Westport home, for their patriotism and willingness to serve and sacrifice for our country.”