Belmont High Commencement Outran Rain As Approximately 350 From Class Of ’25 Graduate

Photo: Caps head skyward at the 2025 Belmont High Commencement

Tara Westover certainly accomplished a lot attending Belmont High School. 

Honored with one of two School Committee awards for outstanding achievement at Belmont High School’s 2025 commencement held under threatening skies on Saturday morning, June 7, Westover undertook the most rigorous course load with a near-perfect GPA; she is a National Merit semifinalist, achieved a perfect score on the SATs, is a talented artist and rock climber, a volunteer with Habitat for Humanities who also found the time to publish an academic paper with her father and brother while being accepted at Harvard College to study maths. Whew!

While she could have spoken on any number of subjects, Westover decided to demonstrate the commonality of each graduate with their classmates in a game of elimination using their upraised hands. They would put down a finger with each “interesting thing” they did during the past four years.

“[Did] you complain when you first heard about the changes to the weekly schedule,” and “if you complained the phone hotels, or, as some people, but definitely not me, have called them phone prisons,” and “if you shopped for prom outfits during class,” she said.

At the end of the challenge, Westover asked the graduates to look around. “I hoped you noticed two things. One, that almost everyone had some fingers down, which highlights our connection, which we have through the school building, to our fellow Marauders, even with the ones we may not have met. And two, that not everyone has all their fingers down,” Westover observed. 

“There’s no one story of a Belmont High graduate,” said Westover, as the most impactful moments were in a new class, speaking to a teacher, or just hanging out with friends. 

“Though our paths converged here … the details of our roots have been different. We’ve each crafted our own unique story,” she said. And with high school ended, “a new chapter is beginning. Life is a collection of moments like the ones you’ve had in high school. Let’s each grab a pen and start writing the next chapter of our stories as Belmont High School graduates.” 

Belmont High Principal Issac Taylor welcomed the approximately 350 graduates and their families and friends to Harris Field. In his address, Taylor spoke of the advancements in global connectivity in the past 200 years through the development of international shipping, which, itself, represents one of the great dichotomies of history.

“[Shipping] led to the murderous eradication of hundreds of cultures and languages,” founded the international slave trade, and accelerated the destruction of natural habitats, “setting the stage for the climate and biodiversity crisis,” said Taylor. And yet it shrank the globe and made it more accessible, while leading to the pooling of human talent and resources, accelerating innovation and learning, resulting in “the mixing of languages and cultures that enrich our world today,” he said.

“Class of 2025, you face similar dichotomies,” said Taylor, with wealth and power flowing from the rapidly changing world ruled by computing, big data, and artificial intelligence. “It is all moving so fast, it’s hard to see what is really happening, how power is shifting, and what direction the world is going.”

Despite an unwritten future, Taylor said this graduating class has demonstrated “exemplify humanity at its best.”

“I observed as you looked after your friends and supported one another, expressing your love and care in dozens of languages. I have watched you celebrate the diversity and multiculturalism of your community through dance and play, through food and dress. I have heard you advocate against injustice and stay true to your beliefs, even when that means standing up to power, and I have taken great pride in your collaboration, courtesy, compassion and kindness,” Taylor said.

Class President Mark Guzelian spoke of the uniqueness of the senior class: the first to sell 587 prom tickets, to have a full senior thesis Capstone exhibition, and to NOT have a senior prank.

“In other words, we’ve not been first at very much … [S]o I went back to brainstorming, what makes the class of 2025 unique?” he asked. First, it “is all the people in it,” each contributes their own gifts – in sports, theater, music, and academic excellence – during the past four years.

“But all of us will go on to make greater contributions to society in our own way,” Guzelian said, whether running labs, getting advanced degrees, going on to trade school to learn skills that keep society functioning, starting businesses, or becoming teachers. He advised his classmates to face the challenges “thrown at us” with patience, which he said “is not much valued.” 

Saying that success will not be handed on a platter and that perseverance through challenges is necessary, Guzelian said, “We will need to have patience and not rush through life trying to achieve things when perhaps it’s not the right time. Just remember that sometimes patience will need to be part of the process.”

Honored with a School Committee award for outstanding achievement, Jordan McCarty—who was awarded the Yale Book Award, is a World Cup medalist in fencing, and is an outstanding jazz musician who will attend New York University—said his father advised him to “first do the things you have to do, then do the things you want to do.” 

While he and many in the class are “guilty of draining away time on our phones,” McCarty said. “Instead, what I would want is to spend my time with those close to me and make timeless memories with them. To me, this has begun to fall under the category of things I have to do. You have to be able to enjoy your time. So take a breather, enjoy the present, and appreciate all the little moments.”

“I believe true happiness comes from the connections you form with other people and how you spend your time with them. Time quickly becomes our most important asset, and is important how we use it in this world. The one thing you can’t get back is your time. So cherish the time that you do have, spend it with people you love, and don’t regret one moment. That’s all that matters,” said 

After a performance of Stephen Paulus’ “The Road Home” by the BHS Chorus, each graduate crossed the dais to receive their diploma and have dozens of photographs documenting their journey. Soon, caps were flung skyward as the ceremony would beat the rain by less than an hour. 

Here Are The Streets Belmont’s DPW Will Dig Up This Summer/Fall To Replace Water Mains

Photo: Jay Marcotte, Belmont’s DPW director

The Select Board approved a $1.2 million contract to a familiar firm as part of Belmont’s long-running water main replacement program.

Belmont Department of Public Works Director Jay Marcotte announced to the Board at its Monday, June 9 meeting that Cedrone Trucking Inc. of North Billerica was the low bidder of seven firms that sought to undertake the 2025 replacement project. While the work will begin in fiscal ’26, it will be paid with last year’s funds.

“This is [fiscal] ’25 money,” said Marcotte. “We’re a year behind.”

The streets being dug up are:

  • Barnard Road
  • Jonathan Street
  • Worcester Street
  • Drew Road
  • Benjamin Road

The work will begin in mid- to late-July. The one peice of good news for residents anticipating is that once the streets are dug up and the pipes replaced, they will be in line for repair and repaving.

“This project is working in tandem with the pavement management program” so residents will have all work done over a short period of time,” said Marcotte.

This marks the 10th time over the past 11 years that Cedrone has won the job, which Marcotte was pleased with the decision.

“They’re a great company which we have a great relationship. They know what we want they actually are fairly proactive about getting it done,” said Marcotte.

Garvin Negoitates $1 Million In Donations To Secure Solar Array For New Belmont Skating Rink

Photo: Three donations equaling $1 million will allow a roof solar array at the new municipal skating rink

The Belmont Select Board signed three Memoranda of Understanding at its Monday, June 10, meeting to accept $1 million in donations to install a solar array on the roof of Belmont’s new municipal skating rink. The goal is to keep operating expenses at the town’s sports facility down while reducing its carbon footprint.

Under the agreements, which were negotiated and finalized by Town Administrator Patrice Garvin, the town will receive funds from:

  • Belmont Hill School: $500,000,
  • the Belmont Day School: $200,000, and
  • Belmont Light Department: $250,000

“The goal has always been to operate the rink at an operational break even, meaning revenues that we come in will be used to offset any expenses we incur,” Garvin said back in May.

“I want to thank [Garvin] for really finding a way to bring all parties together to follow through … to get solar on the building” in a collaborative way, which has been a struggle in the past, said Board Vice Chair Matt Taylor.

While the construction of the $30 million Belmont Municipal Skating Rink is “on time and on budget,” that didn’t mean the promise of a rooftop solar panels was a certainty. With the rink under the financial guns – due to the uncertainty of tariffs imposed by Donald Trump on Canadian-made equipment and the reality of unexpected costs always around the corner – the Municipal Skating Rink Building Committee in April presented the Select Board two contingency plans to provide reduced solar coverage of one-third or half based on available money.

With the prospect of rooftop solar panels seeming less than confident, Garvin took up the challenge to secure the funds. “At the previous Special Town Meeting, I stated that we would find a way to put solar on the roof of the rink,” Garvin said on the first night of Town Meeting, May 12. 

In the spring, Garvin met with each of the largest “tenants” to discuss possible one-time contributions that would secure the renewable power component.

One area that Garvin discovered was not on any of the tenants’ radar was a formal PILOT – payment in leiu of taxes – agreement. PILOT has been a hot topic among residents in the past decade in the town’s attempt to increase revenue sources, especially from non-profits. Belmont Hill School – whose extensive and expanding land holdings are exempt from property taxes – has been reluctant over the years to discuss the subject, including in its rink talks with Garvin. 

“Generally, PILOT is not a word that anyone wanted to hear,” said Garvin. Rather than push for a binding and precedent setting agreement, the Town Administrator decided to use another word in her attempt to secure one-time funding for the panels. 

“As soon as I changed the topic to ‘donations,’ they were much more receptive,” said Garvin. After some give and take on the benefits for the schools – having a new in-town rink nearby (with some advantageous scheduling to boot) – the agreements were completed in June. 

No Discount On Rent

Garvin wanted to clarify that Belmont Hills half-a-million dollar contribution is not a “pay to play” agreement.

“There’s no discount” in renting ice time for their donation, said Garvin. “They will be renting the ice from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., three times per week. This is the current agreement [on ice time] at the prior rent agreed to many years before I was here as the Town Administrator,” said Garvin. “Belmont Hill will pay whatever that rated ice time is, which will gradually increase year over year,” she said. 

“The $500,000 donation will include a donation to the PV but also a prepayment of two seasons of ice time, meaning that we will waive the first two seasons” of the new rink. In 2027, the town and Belmont Hill will formalize a 20-year lease for ice time. 

Board Chair Elizabeth Dionne highlighted Belmont Day School’s $200,000 contribution, which “really is a true donation.” Noting the school will be using the rink for a minimum number of hours each week, “they’re asking for very, very little in return, and I’m appreciative of that,” said Dionne.

“Belmont Day is looking to have education initiatives with their students for science, technology, engineering, and math education,” said Garvin. 

Finally, the Belmont Light donation comes as the town agrees to sell any renewable energy credits (RECs) generated by the solar panels to the utility.

Garvin said the town has been planning the Belmont rink operations for some time, and getting to break even will be a three-step process, she said:

  1. Hiring a rink manager, Eric Harrington, on April 22. “He will be working with me to hire a staff to rent up ice time and to develop policies and procedures to run the ring,” said Garvin.
  2. Maximizing the rink’s revenue by locking in rents at market rates.
  3. Control operating costs. Solar is seen as key to minimizing the cost for the rink’s operation. And that component is best achieved by

“We need to work with the Recreation Commission to determine what the fees for that ice time will be,” said Garvin. “We plan to retain and secure long-term tenants that have used the rink for years and to maximize any utilization we can find to operate the rink.”

The complete solar array provides several benefits to the town’s bottom line and its residents:

  1. It makes good on a commitment to the residents to using renewable energy when the debt exclusion was passed in 2024 and to the Town Meeting Members when they were asked for additional funding to put solar panels on the rink’s roof.
  2. It reduces operating expenses by $7,000, an estimate calculated using Belmont Middle and High School solar generation as a matrix. “We’re also expecting increases in electricity for calendar year 2026, 2027 and 2028,” said Garvin.
  3. “We are challenged to find revenue to support the ring’s operations. So a path forward is the solar if we even want to attempt to break even on operations, and especially as costs increase year over year,” said Garvin. 

Rain Holds Off For Pride Celebration In Belmont

Photo: Head of the parade at Belmont Pride Parade 2025

The threatening sky didn’t deter the joyous gathering of marchers who assembled on the Belmont Town Green on Saturday, June 1, as they came to participate in the Belmont Pride Parade and Celebration.

Seniors, kids, family, and friends commemorated the ongoing fight for equality with ice cream, activities, and the Freedom Trail Band.

The annual observation of Pride is indispensable because “every time an LGBTQ plus person is open about who they are, it helps others identify and understand who they are … and it gives people permission to be who they are,” said keynote speaker State Sen. Will Brownsberger Saturday. And it’s especially so in the current political climate.

“There’s a lot of bad things happening in our country right now,” said Brownsberger, “just the most barbaric things” pointing to mass deportations of undocumented immigrants and directives to with the intent to intimidate people, “to scare people into different kinds of behavior.”

“That is why I believe it’s very important that we not be intimidated, that we continue to feel joy in our everyday lives, and that we continue to feel pride in who we are,” he said, especially to the transgender community, which is under direct assault by the Trump administration.

“So I want to say ‘thank you’ to every single person I’ve ever met who has been out and every single person who is here today. It really matters that elected officials and community leaders who came out in support,” said Brownsberger, pointing out State Rep. Dave Rogers, Select Board Vice Chair Matt Taylor. Belmont Fire Chief Dave DiStefano, along with Middlesex District Attorney and Belmont resident Marion Ryan.

“One of the things that I spend a lot of my time on is really thinking about, in this very diverse county, how do we reduce the number of people, whoever feel and wonder, ‘Do I belong?” said Ryan. “And this today sends really a message of respect that everybody is valued in our community.”

Greg Paré brought his children from Quincy to spend the Saturday at Belmont Pride.

“We just wanted to support this celebration of all types of people,” said Paré. “It’s an important thing for our children to be here, see our values, and pass them on to [the children.]”

For Fran Yuan of the Belmont LGBTQ+ Alliance, Pride in Belmont is a coming together, “to affirm that we’re all in this together. It doesn’t matter who you are.”

“I think it’s important for people to know, whoever you are, whether you’re out or not, whether you feel safe or maybe you don’t feel safe. This is a place where you can feel like you are part of the community, no matter what,” she said.

Belmont World Film Presents Two Films During World Refugee Awareness Month June 9,16 [Trailers]

Photo: Abou Sangaré as Souleymane, in Souleymane’s Story (Credit: Pyramide Distribution)

Belmont World Film is presenting two “buzz-worthy” films as part of its 23rd International Film Series FREEDOM ON FILM during World Refugee Awareness Month. The films will be screened on Monday, June 9 and 16.

Souleymane’s Story: The film is currently in release in Europe, but the only place you can see it in the US is at our screening on New England premiere, Monday, June 9, 7:30 PM at West Newton Cinema. A young immigrant from Guinea (Abou Sangaré) navigates the streets of Paris as a food delivery cyclist while striving to secure legal residency. With only two days to prepare for a critical asylum interview, he must balance the demands of his precarious job and the challenges of his uncertain status. This “storied” film won two awards at the Cannes Film Festival and four Cesar Awards, the French equivalent of the Oscars. Buy advanced tickets for Souleymane’s Story here.

Under the Volcano: New England premiere on Monday, June 16, 7:30 PM at West Newton Cinema. While enjoying the final day of their vacation in Tenerife, Spain, a blended Ukrainian family’s world is upended when news breaks of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, rendering their return to Kyiv impossible. Stranded on the island, they must navigate feelings of isolation, fear, and uncertainty, all while confronting the evolving dynamics within their family.

Belmont World Film is proud to partner with First Aid of the Soul, an organization providing accessible psychological support services to Ukrainians affected by the war. The NGO is hosting an optional pre-film reception from 6:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. in the theater mezzanine, learn more about the impact of First Aid of the Soul’s work. All proceeds directly supporting their critical mental health work.

Patrons can either purchase tickets for the screening only or for both the reception and the screening. BWF encourage you to consider attending the reception in support of this incredibly worthy cause (the screening ticket is included in the cost of the reception). 

Buy advanced tickets for Under the Volcano here

Individual Tickets are

  • $14 per ticket in advance (no fees)
  • $16 at the door (with cash or check)

After Dominate Opener, Belmont High Girls Lacrosse Swept Aside By L-S In Sweet 16

Photo: Belmont High vs Lincoln-Sudbury Regional in the Sweet 16

The 14-seed Belmont High Girls Lacrosse team faced a challenging task on Tuesday, June 3: a Sweet 16 away match against the 3rd-ranked Lincoln-Sudbury Regional in the MIAA Division 1 state championship.

Belmont (14-7) had seen its fair share of top-level opposition this season, facing five top 10 playoff seeds during the regular season, losing to the top three by two goals or less, and a big late-season victory over Central Catholic. However, L-S (12-5) was a different competitor, with a physical defense and experience in attack.

And those cumulative advantages L-S possessed resulted in the Marauders’ 12-4 defeat in the quarter-final matchup.

Belmont High junior defender Fiona Rodriquez-Clark barking out the defense against L-S Regional

“Lincoln-Sudbury’s a great team from a great program,” said Belmont’s Head Coach Dan O’Brien. “They won the state championship two years ago and are at the next level that we’re aspiring to get to in terms of execution.”

If there was a hopeful playoff vibe for the Marauders, it was the first round 12-6 victory over 19th-ranked Braintree in the opening round at Harris Field on Friday, May 30. O’Brien had one word for the team to remember as they headed onto the pitch: “Dominate.” It took half of the first quarter to get rolling – Braintree tied the game at 2-2 at the 6:38 mark – as Belmont would go on a 6-0 run over the next 12 minutes with senior attack Charlotte Mayall (2 goals and an assist) planting the ball to give the Marauders the lead for keeps at 5:14.

Junior all-star mid Niamh Lesnik scored four goals to her team-high season total. At the same time, sophomore draw specialist midfielder Natalie Merrow controlled the center circle and showed her scoring prowess with Belmont’s eighth goal to give the Maruaders an 8-3 halftime lead.

Belmont High’s Neive Lesnik vs. L-S Regional High

Belmont Goalie Brooke Whalen registered 10 saves to backstop Belmont’s strong senior-rich defense, which includes co-captains Keira Healy and Anna Santos, Tyler Mayall and Bailey Cumbo, junior Fiona Rodriquez-Clark, and sophomore Lily Cook.

On Tuesday, at L-S’s turf field – situated beyond a vast meadow from the parking lot – the key word was less “dominate,” but rather “control” the Warriors. And for the first half, Belmont put the clamps on L-S offense. After a less-than-confident start as L-S senior attack Lexi Morrissey scored twice in the first three-plus minutes, the Marauders hunkered down and stalled out the Warriors’ pressure game.

“We kept it really close [in the first half],” said Belmont’s Charlotte Mayall. “We were very prepared coming into this game. We watched film and had a plan in place how we were gonna play D and what we’re gonna do an offense. And in the first half, we really showed how prepared we were.”

While Belmont’s defense was holding its own, Belmont’s offense struggled, not coming up with draw controls as L-S had a nose for ground balls. More than once, when Belmont was in control, its cautious setup for a shot resulted in unforced errors. When a shot was taken, L-S’s outstanding goalie Lydia Mossi was lights out with big saves. Belmont’s Whalen, who surrendered a single goal in the second quarter, made a point-blank save with 25 seconds in the half to keep the deficit manageable.

Belmont High’s Noura Goulding (7) celebrates goal by Charlotte Mayall (21) against Braintree.

While the Belmont’s first half defense was successful in a “bend but don’t break” en mode, the third quarter L-S figured out the back line with six goals, two from sophomore Nina Fragale (including her second with five seconds remaining in the quarter) and a hat trick by fellow sophomore Emerson Acquaviva. While Belmont found the back of the net with its first two tallies from Lesnick and Mayall, the Marauders couldn’t generate the momentum needed to make a late-game rally.

But in the view of Mayall, the game didn’t define the team’s

“I think we played amazingly today. I really don’t think the score ever defines our games. We played so much better than the scores showed. We played one of our best games today, but it wasn’t in our favor on the scoreboard. I’m definitely sad, but I’m happy with the memories that I made,” said Mayall.

“You never stop fighting. Really proud of you all,” O’Brien told the squad after the final horn sounded.

“I feel good about [giving up] 12 [goals] against this team,” said O’Brien. “And if you told me it would be 12, I would have told you the game would be something like 12-10. Their goalie played great, and we were just a half step late on some passes, which was the difference,” he said.

And this year’s team has built a foundation for future success,” said O’Brien.

“We’re gonna bring back the whole offense. We’re graduating three of the four starters on defense, but our goalie’s back, and we’ve got young girls who are hungry to play. We’ve got some incoming girls from a really strong youth program, so we’ll keep getting better, hopefully.”

Belmont Farmers Market Opens Its 20th Season On Thurs., June 5

`Photo: Belmont Farmers Market opens for the 2025 season on Thursday, June 5

Celebrate 20 years of the Belmont Farmers Market at its Opening Day on Thursday, June 5, in the Clafin Parking Lot, Belmont Center. The ceremony starts at 1:40 p.m., and the opening bell will be rung at 2 p.m.

The market takes place, rain or shine, on Thursdays in June to Oct. 30, 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (6 p.m. in October).

Special speakers and guests will help start the 20th season with a bang. The ceremony begins at 1:40 p.m.; the opening bell is at 2:00.

The market will host the fourth annual Food Assistance Information Fair to explore its efforts to help feed our neighbors.

Coming back this season is the POP Club, where young shoppers/club members $3 in POP Bucks to buy any produce or food-producing plants that they want! Parents say it helps kids try new foods, and they have more fun at the market. And they’ll enjoy our Activity Days on the last Thursday of each month.

You can contact market reps at https://www.belmontfarmersmarket.org/contact-us

On A Sunny Monday, A Ceremony For The Nation’s and Belmont’s Honored Dead

Photo: A day of ceremony in Belmont on Memorial Day 2025

After seemingly weeks of rain and clouds, Memorial Day Monday, 2025, was full of sunshine and warm temperatures. For many, Monday was a harbinger of summer.

Bob Upton, the town’s Veteran Agent and host of the Belmont Memorial Day Ceremony at the Belmont Cemetery on Grove Street, told the assembled, “Memorial Day was a day to remember ancestors, family members, and loved ones who gave the ultimate sacrifice.”

“But now there are some that celebrate the day without more than a casual thought to the purpose and meaning of the day. How do we honor the 1.8 million plus who gave their life for America since 1775? How do we thank them for their sacrifice? Upton believes the town’s Memorial Day ceremony “is one way for all of us here today to remember and honor our fallen heroes.”

Upton recognized Carmela Picone, who hand-washed the 65 veterans’ headstones in the cementery, the Belmont High School student athletes who took their time, in the driving rain, to placed flags at all veterans grave, and the town’s workers who prepared the site for the ceremony.

“That’s where you start. We remember those of Belmont who have served and made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Upton, who pointed out the community’s Gold Star families – the Curtis and Ray families – attending the service.

Elizabeth Dionne, Belmont Select Board chair and the day’s keynote speaker, said the command to “remember” appear more than 550 times in the Old Testament.

“It matters that we remember,” Dionne said. “As fellow Americans, we gather today to remember that it is at the heart of our Memorial Day observances. 2025 is a particularly poignant year, as on April 19 this year, I gathered with other elected officials on Lexington Battle Green to watch a re-enactment of the Battle of Lexington on the 250th anniversary of the day on which eight men were the first to die in defense of their families and their freedoms.”

“Our nation’s history is complex. There have been too many times when we have not extended full citizenship rights to those legally within our borders, yet we strive to exercise tolerance, and expand our tent. We embrace those who love liberty, who dream of contributing to a country where they could be judged, in the words of Martin Luther King, Jr, not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character,” Dionne noted. “The US military has been one of the great equalizers in American history, a place where those who serve their country can demonstrate the content of their character.”

Dionne spoke of the Navajo code talkers who served in WWII, creating an unbreakable code that played a crucial role in securing victory for US forces in the Pacific Theater.”

“I read a memoir by Chester Nez, one of the six code talkers. Chester begins his book by stating, ‘I’m no hero. I just wanted to serve my country,’ even though his home state of New Mexico denied Native Americans the vote. Chester volunteered as a Marine in April 1942, a few months after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Of that decision, he wrote, ‘I could have stayed in high school. Maybe I should have. But as a warrior, how could I ignore the fact that my country had been attacked’,” she said.

“At the close of his book, Nez writes about what he gained from his military service. ‘My fellow Code Talkers might become part of a new oral and written tradition, a Navajo Victory, with our culture contributing to our country’s defeat of a wily foe’.”

“The story of the code talkers has been told on … the reservation and recorded in the pages of history books forever. Our story is not one of sorrow like the Long Walk and the Great Livestock Massacre, but one of triumph.”

“As Americans, we are often self-critical, keenly aware of when reality falls short of our ideals. In a fallen world populated by imperfect humans, failures are inevitable, and learning from our mistakes is a good thing. But as we remember today, I want to focus on what we get right, on the ideals that motivate us to sacrifice for the common good,” she said.

Sharing her own experiences, Dionne said in June 2018, she visited the Normandy American Cemetery perched on the bluffs above Omaha Beach in France, where the remains of 9,400 US armed forces personnel who participated in the D-Day invasion. Forty-five of those graves contain paired sets of brothers, a memorial wall in the Garden of the Missing includes the names of an additional 1,500 servicemen whose bodies were never found.

“As I walked past rows of crosses interspersed with Stars of David, I read the names of men who had given their lives in the cause of liberty, and I wept. Each name, each set of dates told a story so much youth, so much promise, so much life and love snuffed out.”

Dionne also spoke about her son’s church-sponsored mission to Bolivia, a poor South American country experiencing great civic unrest.

“As his mother, I was worried, but he learned some profound lessons about the privilege of being an American. In one of our weekly phone calls, he said, ‘Mom, people at home criticize America and complain about everything wrong with our country, but everyone here just wants to be there. They would give anything to live in America’.”

“The most important way to honor those living and dead who have served in our nation’s armed forces is to take up our quarrel with the foes of peace and our democratic ideals, and we remember the tremendous privilege we enjoy of being Americans who have the right to vote, to work, to worship freely or not to worship at all, to assemble, to criticize our elected government and to change that government in free and fair elections,” said Dionne.

“Above all, we remember the sacrifices of those who have served in wars and times of war. To you, we say ‘thank you’ and pledge that we will always remember in memory of our fallen dead. I would like to close with the lyrics of the “Mansions of the Lord,” a hymn her church choir sang last week to prepare for Memorial Day,” said Dionne.

To fallen soldiers let us sing
where no rockets fly nor bullets wing
our broken brothers let us bring
To the mansions of the Lord

no more bleeding, no more fight
no prayers pleading through the night
just divine embrace, eternal light
in the mansions of the lord

Where no mothers cry
and no children weep
we shall stand and guard through the angels sleep
while through the ages safely keep
the mansions of the Lord

Upton then recognize Belmont High student, Eva Cohen, who participated in the Voice of Democracy last year, an annual nationwide scholarship program sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).

“I think is such an important day, especially for our community, because we don’t take that much time in our daily lives to be grateful for everything we have,” said Cohen. “Think about everything that we get to enjoy these days. Think about going to school, voting, or playing in the marching band, and it’s all things to lay their lives down so we can have these things.”

Cohen then joined her fellow Belmont High School Marching Band members as they marching down Grove Street and Bright Road to the Veterans Memorial under a cloudless sky.