NEWBURYPORT — Gathered in an upstairs room at City Hall after blustery weather led to the annual parade being canceled, more than 100 people came together to recognize Veterans Day.
Veterans Service Officer Kevin Hunt led the proceedings, which featured performances by Scouts and the Newburyport High School marching band.
Among those in attendance were Mayor Sean Reardon; state Rep. Dawne Shand, D-Newburyport; state Sen. Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester; and city councilors.
Hunt introduced Reardon as one of the first speakers.
“On behalf of the City of Newburyport, I want to extend our deepest gratitude to all the veterans here today, and to every veteran in our city, for your service, your sacrifice and your unwavering commitment to our country,” Reardon said.
He said Veterans Day is about more than remembrance.
“It’s about reflection, gratitude and connection,” Reardon said. “The freedoms we enjoy each day are the direct result of the courage and sacrifice of those who have served.”
He took a moment to recognize the veterans who work in the community in areas such as city government, including the Police and Fire departments.
“These men and women embody the very best of public service, continuing their lifelong commitment to duty, honor and community,” Reardon said. “We thank you for your dedication, both in uniform and here in Newburyport.”
The next speaker was Shand, who called Massachusetts “the cradle of American patriotism.”
“It is home to the first National Guard, the birthplace of the American Revolution, and the first to declare that local veterans must be cared for,” she said. “It was also the first to establish local veteran service officers, like Kevin Hunt, who holds that role with distinction.”
Shand said how proud she is that they lead the nation in veteran services.
“Here, we honor our heritage and commit to building upon it. We pledge to provide the best veteran services in the country,” she said.
Tarr then praised Newburyport for its treatment of veterans.
“It’s always an honor to be here as the city fulfills its obligation to celebrate, honor and respect those who have served our nation and those who continue to serve,” he said.
He added that it is the foremost responsibility of people to remember that the values of this country come at “a very high price.”
“They come at the price of those who put on the uniform of our country, swear allegiance to those principles, and go forth to put themselves in harm’s way,” Tarr said. “They interrupt their lives, are separated from their families, and witness things most humans never have to experience.”
For that sacrifice and hardship, Tarr said they are owed the best that communities can do for them.
“Always taking the time to understand their stories, what they’ve been through, what they’ve fought for. Always being there to support their families and recognize what separation means,” he said. “Always finding a way, whether with a large gesture or a small one.”
At one point during the ceremony, Reardon read aloud the names of more than a dozen Newburyport veterans who have died in the past six months, with a bell rung for each name.
Matt Petry covers Amesbury and Salisbury for The Daily News of Newburyport. Email him at: mpetry@northofboston.com.