Memorial Day 2017 in Medfield...

The following information and image of Major Kardouni submitted by VSO, Ron Griffin.

Medfield’s Memorial Day Parade will begin on Memorial Day, Monday, May 29th. The parade assembles behind Town Hall on Janes Ave at 9:30 in the morning. The parade will begin at 9:45 and head down Main Street to Baxter Park where a ceremony will be held at 10:00 AM. Programs as prepared by American Legion Auxiliary member Lorrie Guindon will be distributed to all attendees. In case of severe weather the ceremony will be conducted at the American Legion on Peter Kristof Way at 10:00AM.

A float with seats will be available for those veterans who are not able to march. All Veterans of any period including peacetime, Service Men and Women on Active Duty or those serving in the Reserves or Massachusetts Guard are welcome to march with members of the American Legion in leading the parade. You can wear your uniform otherwise please wear dark pants, a white shirt and veteran cap of your choice.

Following our contingent of veterans will be the Medfield Police Department, Medfield Fire Department, Medfield’s State Representatives, Medfield’s Selectman, American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, Miss Poppy, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, the Medfield Lions Club and of course the Medfield High Marching Band under the direction of Doug Olsen.

Past Medfield Police Chief, WWII and Korean War veteran Bill Mann will officiate our Memorial Day Ceremony. Father Culloty of St. Edward the Confessor will deliver the invocation as well as the benediction. “Thrills ‘n Chills Acapella Group” will sing while the Medfield High School band will play a few patriotic
tunes. The ceremony will take about 40 minutes after which the parade re-assembles and continues through Vine Lake Cemetery and ends at the American Legion building on Peter Kristof Way. At the conclusion of the parade, refreshments will be served at the Legion as prepared by the Son’s of the American Legion.

The Memorial Day address will be delivered by Major Joseph Kardouni, a Medfield resident currently on active duty in the U.S. Army. Major Kardouni completed several tours in support military operations in the Middle East. He received a direct commission as an Army Medical Specialist Corps officer in 1999.

During his 17 year career, Major Kardouni served in Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. He also spent several years assigned to 3rd Special Forces Group and served 3 deployments to Afghanistan. Following his time with 3rd Special Forces Group, Major Kardouni was
awarded a Long Term Health Education and Training scholarship from the Army and given the opportunity to return to school full-time to complete a PhD in biomechanics. Upon completion of PhD studies, Major Kardouni received his current assignment at the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine
located at the Natick Soldier Systems Center. In addition to his medical research duties, Major Kardouni also serves as the Program Coordinator for the Gains in the Education of Mathematics and Science (GEMS) program, which is a series of summer science camps sponsored by the Army to cultivate interest
among middle school students in Science, Technology, and Engineering careers. Major Kardouni’s military awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global
War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and the parachutist badge. He and his family currently live in Medfield.

Expenses are kept low however donations to support the day are always appreciated. Donations can be made to the “Town of Medfield” with a designation note for the “Memorial Day Gift Account” and either dropped off at Town Hall or mailed to Evelyn Clarke at Medfield Town Hall, 459 Main Street.