Local veterans and their families gathered with officials Wednesday at the city's Circle of Remembrance to honor the sacrifice of the country's service men and women.
"Today we honor the extraordinary effort of seemingly ordinary people," Mayor Jeannette McCarthy said, speaking to a crowd on the Common. "History has shown us that veterans, individually and collectively, have indeed made our city and our country what it is today."
Members of local veterans groups, flanked by the color guard from the city's Police and Fire departments, marched in formation as the American Legion Post 156 band played patriotic music.
Frank Berinato, a World War II veteran, led the gathering in a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, which he punctuated by proclaiming "God bless America" at the end.
Joining McCarthy at the event were city councilors Paul Brasco, Sally Collura, Joe Giordano - a Vietnam veteran and head of the Veterans Services Committee - Robert Logan, Gary Marchese, Kathleen McMenimen, Thomas Stanley, Ed Tarallo and Robert Waddick.
City councilors elect Diane LeBlanc and Daniel Romard were also there.
State Sen. Susan Fargo was unable to attend the event, however, for the ceremony her office sent an American flag that had flown over the U.S. Capitol as well as the State House.
Also present was Walter Pierce, believed to be the city's oldest veteran, who will turn 100 next month.
John Reid, commander of the Pfc. John M. Sullivan VFW Post No. 10334, who served as emcee of the ceremony, told the crowd that they could leave there knowing that Waltham was "second to none" in showing appreciation for its veterans.
Reid said afterward it was good to see so many people brave the cold weather to attend the ceremony.
"Each year, it seems we have more and more people," Reid said.
The Circle of Remembrance was created in 2005. The bricks that comprise it are dedicated to veterans and bear their name, branch of the military in which they served and dates of their service.
Richard Conn can be contacted at 781-398-8004 or rconn@cnc.com.
