Massachusetts Veterans Day 2020

The Baker-Polito Administration recognized Veterans Day this year in a virtual format, enabling the Commonwealth to continue to celebrate our veterans and those who are currently serving our Country.

On Wednesday, November 11, the Commonwealth streamed a virtual Veterans Day Ceremony with speakers and musical performers from across the Commonwealth, including remarks by Governor Baker and Department of Veterans' Services Secretary Cheryl Poppe.

Join the conversation and follow along using #VeteransDayMA

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Streaming of the virtual Veterans Day Ceremony on Wednesday, November 11

The ceremony is now available to stream below**, on the Facebook pages for the Department of Veterans’ Services, the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke, and the Soldiers’ Home in Chelsea, and aired on the following participating TV stations and digital channels on Wednesday, November 11:

*PACTV channels will also be airing the ceremony on 11/12 at 7:00am, 1:00pm, & 9:00pm, 11/13 at 7:00am & 4:00pm, and 11/14 at 12:00pm & 6:00pm

**The YouTube stream below has closed captions available.

Program for the Veterans Day 2020 Ceremony

Thank you to all the individuals involved in honoring our veterans virtually this year:

Prelude: U.S. Army 215th Band, Commonwealth Brass Quintet

Welcoming Address: Mike Nikitas, Master of Ceremonies, Son of WWII Veteran

Presentation of Colors:

  • United States Army
    Massachusetts Army National Guard
     
  • United States Marine Corps
    25th Marine Regiment, Fort Devens, MA
     
  • United States Navy
    USS Constitution Color Guard
     
  • United States Air Force
    Patriot Honor Guard
     
  • United States Coast Guard
    Color Guard, First Coast Guard District, Boston, MA

National Anthem: U.S. Army 215th Band, Commonwealth Brass Quintet

Pledge of Allegiance: Peggy Griffin, Gold Star Wife

Invocation: Reverend Sandra Whitley

Veterans’ Services Remarks: Secretary Cheryl Lussier Poppe

Veterans Day Address: Governor Charles D. Baker

Musical Performance: Musicians on Call

POW/MIA Remembrance: Timothy Sullivan, USN (Ret.) Former POW, Vietnam

Keynote Speaker: Major General William “Bill” Chen, U.S. Army (Ret.)

Moment of Silence & Taps & Firing Party

U.S. Armed Forces Medley

Benediction: Rabbi Seth Novoselsky

Closing Remarks: Secretary Cheryl Lussier Poppe

Officer of the Day: Christian Bagtas, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Air force, Patriot Honor Guard

Date published: November 4, 2020
Last updated: November 11, 2020

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