Peabody Portuguese Veterans' Sacrifice, History Honored At 80th Anniversary Celebration

PEABODY, MA — A presentation of colors and a very moving Missing in Action ceremony were part of the 80th anniversary celebration of the Portuguese American War Veterans Post #1 held on Friday night at the Joseph and Dolores Silva Memorial Hall.

The post was chartered at an old elementary school on Tremont Street as a social club for Portuguese-American veterans returning from World War II.

The post has evolved through the years to become one of the premier veteran and community service organizations on the North Shore, as well as the home for several other veteran and community organizations and endeavors.

Those in attendance at the head table includes Post Commander, Retired United States Air Force (USAF) Colonel Robert Sousa and his wife, Retired USAF Captain Lydia Todd; Senior Vice Commander, Retired United States Army (USA) Sergeant First Class John Silva and his wife Helia; the Portuguese Consul General Tiago Araujo and his wife Joana; State Sen. Joan Lovely; Peabody Mayor Ted Bettencourt, State Rep. Thomas Walsh; and Peabody Ward 3 Councilor Stephanie Peach.

The Honor Guard, composed of cadets from the Peabody Veterans Memorial High School Junior Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps opened the ceremony with the presentation of the Portuguese and American flags as the audience saluted and sang both National Anthems.

This was followed by the posting of the colors and the invocation by Post Chaplain Walter Blazewicz. The cadets then performed the Missing in Action ceremony, followed by the playing of "Taps" in remembrance of deceased members.

Citations from Walsh, Bettencourt, and Lovely recognized the Post's 80th anniversary achievement and vibrancy, as well as its role in supporting the Portuguese and Veterans Communities in the North Shore and beyond.

Dr. Tiago Araujo reflected on his three and a half years as the Portuguese Consul General of Boston: "I've learned from my time in America that it is possible to be 100 percent Portuguese and also 100 percent American. I know the math doesn't add up, but it's true."

One of the evening's most poignant highlights came after dinner when Colonel Sousa called upon the youngest military member, 17-year-old Cadet Lucas Fracopinto and the oldest WWII Veteran, 101-year-old Private First Class Americo "Marco" Martin, to participate in the cake cutting ceremony along with John Silva.

The celebration concluded with the singing of the Armed Services Medley in recognition of members of the various branches of the Armed Services, closing remarks by Commander Sousa and the singing of "God Bless America."