Thank you from the Needham VFW Post #2498

Dear Needham Residents,

On behalf of all the Veterans of VFW Post # 2498, I want to thank everyone who helped in making this Veteran’s Day weekend another great success in honoring our Veterans.  We appreciated all those who joined us at our annual Marine Corps Birthday Breakfast on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013. In particular, I wish to thank Diana Babson, Joseph Guarino, and Lenny Hamilton who were such an essential part of the entire effort.

We would like to thank all of our Selectmen, Town Manager Kate Fitzpatrick, Representative Denise Garlick, The Needham Police and Fire Honor Guards, The Needham Exchange Club for offering coffee and donuts for the over 300 people who came to join in the ceremony, Seminarian Ryan Bilodeau from St. Joseph’s Church, the Saint Joseph’s youth acapella group, Boy Scouts, Michael Savrin who read the Flanders Field poem, Conor Craven from St. Sebastian’s who read his essay regarding Veterans, and to Phil Robey who is the Needham War Memorial Committee Chairman who lent some insight about the new War Memorial project.

We’d also like to thank all who joined us afterward at the VFW Post for a collation with our Veterans, especially MA State Senators Rush and Ross.  A special thanks to the Newman Girl Scout Troop #73350 for their homemade cookies, muffins, cupcakes and beautiful posters showing their appreciation and thanks for our local Veterans. We would also like to express our appreciation to the fourth graders from St. Joseph’s School for their touching notes to the Needham Veterans.

We sent care packages to members of the military on November 16th and would like to thank all those who contributed to the effort, especially to the Boy Scouts for their assistance and to John Timmerman for his continued support of our troops.

We’d like to thank Master Sergeant William Topham (Ret), for his continued dedication in making the Veteran’s Day services so special at Memorial Park.  We appreciate having all of the veterans and their families who were in attendance and those who participated. Overall, the turnout by the entire community was a touching tribute to honor all veterans, and true sign that the residents of Needham care.

Sincerely,

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2498