US Rep. Seth Moulton's Annual Veterans Town Hall Returns To Marblehead Abbot Hall

MARBLEHEAD, MA — U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton's annual Veterans Day Town Hall will return to Marblehead's Abbot Hall on Monday for the 11th year.

The event is designed to be a community-centered, non-partisan discussion that provides veterans with a chance to share how their service shaped their lives and offer those who have not served a chance to listen, learn and connect with veterans on the North Shore.

This year's featured speakers are:

Truc DeCoste – Air Force Veteran

DeCoste deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan from 2011 to 2012, flying over 150 combat sorties on the MC‑12W as a Tactical Systems Operator. She currently serves as the Southeast Regional Liaison for the Massachusetts Office of the Veteran Advocate and previously worked with the veterans‑support nonprofit Home Base. Her experience bridges combat service and veteran advocacy in Massachusetts, offering a powerful perspective on what service means and how community supports the return home.

Bill Carpenter – U.S. Marine Corps Veteran (Cold War era)

Carpenter served as a Supply Officer in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1984‑1987, including an Okinawa deployment. After his military service, he pursued a career as an airline pilot. His dual background in logistics and aviation offers us a window into how veterans apply disciplined service to civilian careers and community life.

Perry Kishida – U.S. Air Force Veteran (2009‑2016)

Kishida served in the Air Force from 2009 to 2016, with deployments to Afghanistan (2014‑2015) and Italy working in Traffic Management/Cargo Logistics. He continues his service today as a member of the Air National Guard and as a Veteran Coordinator with MassHire on the North Shore. His talk will reflect both deployment experience and the veteran’s journey in employment and reintegration.

Jim Gauthier – U.S. Marine Corps Veteran (Vietnam era)

Gauthier served two tours in Vietnam, is a Purple Heart recipient, and went on to serve as a detective with the Salem Police Department for 32 years. He is also the author of the book Witch City Detective and was honored with the Access to Justice Award by the Massachusetts Office of Victim’s Assistance (MOVA) in 2010. His remarks will draw on decades of public service in uniform, in law enforcement, and as a community storyteller.

Alicia Reddin – U.S. Navy Veteran (Global War on Terror, 2004‑2008)

Reddin served as a Seabee equipment operator (EO) during the Global War on Terror, with deployment to the South Pacific. She now serves as Director of Veteran Services for the towns of Saugus, Melrose, and Wakefield, and is a member of the Post‑Deployment Council at the Massachusetts State House. Her speech will focus on service in a specialized Navy unit and a veteran's role in supporting fellow service members once the uniform is hung up.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)