4.25.2026 - Turner Park Memorial Ceremony

Welcome and thank you for joining us today for our Turner Park Remembrance Ceremony. We are honored to gather with veterans, families, elected officials, clergy, community leaders, and residents as we pause to remember, reflect, and pay tribute to those whose lives and sacrifices continue to shape our city and our nation. Today is more than a ceremony. It is

an act of gratitude. It is a Reformation that those who honor will never be forgotten. that their legacy continues through all of us gathered here today. Thank you for taking the time to be present for this meaningful occasion. At this time, we will begin our program by the raising of the flag and the presentation of colors. Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I

pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

At this time, it is my honor to invite Father Rob Nemcovich forward to deliver the opening prayer. Please join me in prayer. Lord God, reverently on this sacred day in your holy presence, we pay our tribute of respect to Navy Fireman SN3 Charles A. Tavares and Army Sergeant First Class Russell G. Smith Jr. from this very neighborhood who gave their lives in service of our country and for our freedom. We also pause

in memory and honor of all those who gave their lives in service of our country. We pray that the souls of these, our heroic dead, may have found perfect rest in you and receive the crown of an unfading life. Cherish and bless them. Lord, we ask you to give to us the living peace and hope as we think of them in this solemn hour. Before you, oh God, we humbly acknowledge our debt to them

and ask you to give us the strength to go on towards the ideals for which they fought and died. May their efforts for justice and peace be continued by us. We also remember those veterans who served in Operation Desert Storm, the Gulf War. We are grateful for their sacrifice for freedom and human rights in our world. This we ask in your most holy name. Amen.

Thank you, Father Rob. There are places in every city that carry meaning beyond what can be seen. Turner Park is one of those places. Today, this space becomes sacred ground, not because of monuments alone, but because of memory, sacrifice, and the commitment of a community that chooses to remember. We gather in gratitude for those who served, for

those who sacrificed, and for the families who carried burdens often unseen.

We gather because remembrance matters. We gather because freedom has always come at a cost. And we gather because in a world that moves quickly, there must always remain places and moments where we slow down long enough to honor those who came before us. At this time, it is my privilege to welcome the mayor of the city of Fall River, Mayor Paul Coogan, for his opening remarks. It's a time of year in the city

of Fall River where we take, can you hear me? It's a time of year in the city of Fall River where we pay special attention to the veterans, the fallen heroes, and the families that offered the ultimate sacrifice and duty to keep this country free. I've been down at Turner Park every year for the last, I don't know, eight or ten years, even when I was on the school committee. And it's

always special to honor people that gave so, so much for the country. I appreciate everybody coming out on a Saturday afternoon. It's very special. And I say we just get on with the ceremony. Thank you, everybody, for coming. Thank you, Mayor Coogan. At this time, I'd also like to recognize our state representatives, Alan Sylvia, Carol Fiola,

and Steven Willett. Alan Sylvia is also a Marine Corps veteran, and he always has words to offer here at the Turner Park Ceremony, so I'd like to welcome him forward at this time. Or Carol first, and then Alan. Thank you, Talos. Thank you, Mayor, Father Rob, especially our veterans who are here today and the families, the Gold Star families who are here. It's an honor to

be here to let you know that I know our state delegation stands behind you, but we stand beside you as well in carrying this message forward throughout every year and every day that our veterans, veteran Smith, veteran Tavares, did not die in vain because we stand here today many, many years later and every year to honor their memory because their sacrifice was obviously the ultimate one.

And we in the city of Fall River and in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts never forget. So it's an honor to be here with you, our counselors, our other veterans, our veteran service officer and veteran center, to be here to be reminded and to remind the public of these heroes from our community. Thank you. Thanks, Carol. As Representative Fiola mentioned, Fall River,

we have a long history of honoring the fallen veterans. Long history.

Matter of fact, many communities can't believe how many events, Memorial Day events we have when we have... It's not working very well, but I'll yell. So some people are surprised throughout the Commonwealth that... We have as many events honoring our veterans as we do in Fall River. Many communities have one, if you notice, they'll have one event to honor veterans in Memorial Day

or Veterans Day. We have so many that some of us can't even make it to them. When we have one up the south end at Miller, for example, we have the same thing happening at the same time down on the battleship. But it's our duty and responsibility to honor our fallen veterans. So our hearts go out to our Gold Star families. Sometimes we forget Gold Star families,

but they remember our fallen every day. You know, sometimes we leave, we go to different events. It's out of mind. But our Gold Star families are remembered every day by all of you. So they died for us. our nation and they died for families and they died for this community. Thank you all very much for being here. I'd just like to represent the

southeast side of the city here to show respect for our veterans. We're proud of what they've done. I'm here again out of respect and we appreciate all their efforts.

Hopefully we can all remember this day as we go forward and again we thank you as a state delegation that we could all be here to celebrate this moment.

Thank you very much.

Again, thank you to the state representative delegation today.

First we will have, excuse me, next we will have our main guest speaker, City Councilor Chris Peckham.

Please come forward. But I'd also like to acknowledge our other veterans liaison from the City Council, Councilor Andrew Raposa. Yes, sir. Good afternoon. I would like to share a story about how I came to stand before you today. First and foremost, I am not a veteran. I serve as a city councilor and have been fortunate enough to be appointed as one of the two veterans'

liaisons. Recently, I was speaking with Doc about a family event, one that profoundly demonstrated the importance of remembrance. On August 1, 1943, Operation Tidal Wave was launched, a bombing raid targeting the oil refineries in Polesti, Romania. My great uncle, Second Lieutenant James H. Marra of the United States Army Air Force's 415th Bombardment Squadron 98th Heavy Bombardment Group, served as a co-pilot

aboard a B-24 Liberator. He was among the crew of one of 51 aircraft that did not return from the mission. He was declared missing in action and presumed killed in action. His remains were not immediately recovered. In 2017, through the advanced laboratory testing, his remains were identified. stemming from a grave in Ploesti where they had been respectfully interred by the Romanian citizens

after the war. I was honored to attend the official U.S. military family briefing where the details of his sacrifice were presented with great care. I was also shown photographs documenting his recovery. I share this story today on this Operation Desert Storm and Operation Desert Shield Day of Remembrance to illustrate that even after 80

years Through the dedication, persistence, and remembering of a committed few, my great uncle was finally brought home to Ohio to rest with his mother.

Through remembrance, I stand here before you today to tell his story and his legacy lives on. The Battle of Fall River took place only a few hundred yards from here on May 31st of 1778. In the 248 years to follow and many wars later, young men and women from this harbour terrace neighbourhood still continue to answer the call for service. And unfortunately, some have

not returned. We will never forget, we will always remember. We remember Russell G. Smith who gave his life during the Gulf War on February 26th of 1991. We also honour his Gold Star brother Jim Branton and Russell's fellow service members who returned home, many carrying the lasting effects of their service, some visible and some unseen.

While it is often said that time heals all wounds, we know that some wounds endure. Today we remember you, and in doing so, we strengthen the chain of support that surrounds you. We also remember Charles A. Tavares, who gave his life in Vietnam on February 27th of 1969. I am fortunate to know his brother Robert, who continues to attend events as a Gold Star family member, ensuring that his brother's story and

sacrifice are not forgotten. Through him and others like him, stories that might otherwise be lost continue to inspire and educate. In remembering, we also recognize those in our community who give back and provide unwavering support to our veterans. Through my recent experiences with those actively engaged in this work and with the plans that lie ahead, I can say with great confidence that Fall River

is and will and will continue to be a leader in advancing veteran services. As the old saying goes, we don't know them all, but we owe them all. I know as a city, we all stand committed to that here in the city of Fall River. Thank you, and God bless. Thank you, Councilor Peckham. At this time, I would like to call Mr. Breton and Mr. Tavares forward so that

we may place this wreath in front of the monument.

There you go. We're off to the side. That's perfect. Yes, sir. Just kind of watch your foot. There you go. Perfect. At this time, I'd also like to welcome forward Bobby Tavares to say a few words. Thank you, Doc. Appreciate you with us. Good afternoon. Can you hear me? It's a beautiful afternoon. This is a special day for me. What was this?

I'm going to tilt it down a little bit. Oh. So you can speak right into the front of it there. So I'd like to thank everybody who's attending today, our honor guards, our Monica, thank you for coming. Andrew, thank you. Chris, that was a beautiful thing. Anyway, and of course, my Gold Star brother, Jim Bratton. So I just wanted to thank everybody for attending. The Harbor Terrace Reunion

Committee, someone is here from it, Billy Eddy, been with us for years, helped us organize this event. But I especially want to thank Doc, wherever you're at, Doc. Without these guys here, this would never have happened. It's been going on for years and years, and we continue to make sure it does go on for years. So, Ken from the veterans, thank you, sir, for coming. There's so many of you, I can't name all of you.

Victor, of course, always with us. Anyway, thank you all for coming.

It's also my pleasure to welcome Mr. Jim Brettonford, a Korean War and Vietnam War veteran as well. This is my father, World War II. These are his medals, presidential citations for World War II. These are the planes. He was a gunner. He flew 43 missions, got out of the service on points. This is my brother Ricky, Vietnam. This is how he was in Vietnam. And Russell of course, Major David Weston showed up to do a

ceremony. Nobody showed up. No politician showed up.

He came from Fort Bragg to do a ceremony for Russell. He gave my mother these.

This is Russell's unit. This guy here died with Russell on the battlefield. That's Russell Lear.

Russell made the magazines. That was Fort River.

This is the monument they have on Fort Bragg for Russell. That's his unit. That's the honor guard they had for him when he died on the battle. Presidential citations, my father.

Unbelievable. That's the planes he was... That's my father right there getting decorated with the medals.

That's World War II. That's him there. That's my father. All these are my fathers. This is my brother, Russell. These are my fathers. I have that expedition. I have other things I have. This was Fall River, 1991. Mayor Coogan ordered the flag to happen.

Yeah, that's the Western Union. The Army comes down and delivers that to you. They walk in and they hand that to you. Thank you, Mr. Breton, for your words and showing us your family's service. Your words remind us that remembrance is not only historical, but it is also deeply personal, as I too understand so closely. As we continue this ceremony, let us be reminded that service does not end with a

uniform and sacrifice does not fade with time. The names we honor, the stories we preserve, and the families we stand beside today are reminders that the blessings we enjoy were secured through courage, duty, and love of country. Our responsibility is to carry that memory forward, not only in ceremony, but in the way we live lead and serve one another.

At this time, please join me for a moment of silence as we are gathered here in this moment to honor those we remember today. At this time, I would like to welcome forward Father Rob to offer us a closing prayer.

Let us pray.

Almighty God, as we conclude this ceremony, we ask your blessings on our Gold Star families for their great sacrifice. Give them your comfort and grace as their loved ones advanced themselves for the ideals of peace and justice. May they inspire our efforts towards this same goal.

Oh Lord, we come to you seeking comfort and healing for those who are wounded physically, and/or emotionally during time of war. Strengthen their will to live. Give them the grace to bear the pain and endure the suffering with perseverance. And may we give them the care and support they need. O Lord God, the strength and protection of all who put their trust in you. Bless and watch

over the men and women of our armed forces who protect our nation and defend liberty and freedom throughout the world. Protect them from all harm, deliver them from the enemy, and bring them safely home. This we ask in your most holy name. Amen. Thank you, Father Rob. Thank you to all who joined us today for this remembrance ceremony. Thank you

to our mayor, our guest speaker, City Councilor Chris Peckham, our elected officials, our family speakers. our veterans, and every member of the community present here today, as well as our state representatives. Your presence matters. It shows that remembrance still lives in the hearts of this city. May we leave here today with gratitude

in our hearts, humility in our spirit, and a renewed commitment to honor those who came before us. On behalf of the City of Fall River, thank you. God bless you and God bless the United States of America. This ceremony is now concluded.