Kids & Family

Medfield Native and US Marine to Deliver Town's Memorial Day Address

Lieutenant Colonel Todd M. Caruso, a Medfield native and 22-year veteran in the United States Marines Corps, will deliver this year's Memorial Day Address during the town's ceremonies and parade Monday, May 28.

Lt. Col. Todd M. Caruso is returning home to spend Memorial Day weekend in Medfield with family and friends and pay tribute to those who have died in our nation's service for our freedom.

Caruso, a Medfield native and member of the Medfield High School Class of 1986, has spent 22 years in the United States Marines Corps and was invited to deliver this year's Memorial Day Address on Monday, May 28 as part of Medfield's Memorial Day ceremonies – an invitation Caruso was honored to accept.

"It is always a great privilege to honor, recognize and remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom," Caruso said. "For me to return to the hometown I grew up in and share that experience with my family and friends of Medfield makes it extra special."

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Caruso, who is still on active duty and is currently assigned to Naval Air Depot, Cherry Point, N.C., said he heard about the opportunity to speak in Medfield through his mother, Claudette Caruso, who still lives in town.

"My mom is actively engaged with Town of Medfield events," he said. "She was asked by Mr. John Harney if I would be willing to participate in this year's parade. She relayed that information to me and soon after I spoke with Mr. Bill Mann on the phone, he extended the official invite and I accepted. Mr. Mann provided me with the details of the event."

Find out what's happening in Medfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Mann, retired Police Chief of Medfield, is once again officiating this year's event. Caruso said he is proud of his hometown for recognizing our veterans and he's looking forward to sharing that experience with his family and friends in Medfield as he shares what Memorial Day is truly about.

"I hope to relay the message that it is not just a three-day weekend, the start of summer and barbecue season or a chance to get out of town for a bit," Caruso said. ... "Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. We are a grateful nation to these heroes. It is important to not forget about them as we enjoy our freedom to gather to enjoy the get-togethers with our family and friends.

"This year, I am hopeful that everyone also remembers those families of military members who live on without their loved one and I hope they all take great pride in knowing their loved one gave their life for our freedom and it is through their sacrifices that we continue to enjoy our many freedoms today and for generations to come. ... I hope to see folks proudly display our American Flag and pay respect to those who defended our country in a time of war."

Caruso has most recently served as the USMC as the executive officer of the Prowler Marine Wing Support Group 27. He deployed to Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM in 2005 and to Iwakuni, Japan in 2006. He was deployed to Bagram Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in May 2010 and was _

After 22 years of service in the USMC, Caruso said he could not think of a better way to begin retirement than spending Memorial Day in Medfield. 

"This opportunity to return home and celebrate Memorial Day with family and friends from my home town as I begin my retirement after 22 years of service is a pretty awesome thing and I am quite honored to be a part of it," Caruso said.

Timeline of Caruso’s Military Career

  • 1986 – Graduates from Medfield High School
  • 1989 – Joins the United States Marine Corps through the Platoon Leaders Course entry program
  • 1990 – Graduates from Northeastern University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering; Commissioned as Second Lieutenant aboard the USS Constitution
  • 1992 – Graduated from the Basic School in Quantico, Virg.
  • 1994 – Attended Naval Flight Training in Pensacola, Fla. and promoted to First Lieutenant; Earned his wings as Naval Flight Officer and completed aviation training as an Electronic Countermeasures Officer (ECMO) in the EA-6B Prowler
  • 1995 - First operational assignment was to 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing; Assigned to Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron Two (VMAQ-2) from December 1995-June 1999 and deployed three times to Aviano Airbase, Italy in support of Operations DECISIVE ENDEAVOR, NOBEL ANVIL and ALLIED FORCE
  • 1996 - Promoted to Captain in July; Assigned to VMAQ-2 and served as the unit’s Classified Material Custodian, Future Operations Officer and Electronic Warfare Officer
  • 2001 – Promoted to Major in June; Graduated from the Naval Postgraduate School in September with a Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering; Assigned to Naval Air Depot, Cherry Point, N.C., where he served as the Logistics, Research and Engineering Coordinator from October 2001-November 2004.
  • 2004 - Transferred to Marine Aircraft Group Fourteen to serve as the Executive Officer.
  • 2007 - Promoted to Lt. Col. on Sept. 1, 2007.
  • 2009 - Assumed command of VMAQ-2 in November.
  • 2010 - Deployed to Bagram, Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM from May to November.
  • 2011 – Relinquished command of VMAQ-2 in August; Reported to Marine Wing Support Group 27 (MWSG-27) for duties as Executive Officer.

Awards: Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (15th Award with combat strike), Navy Commendation Medal and the Navy Achievement Medal.

This year's Memorial Day ceremonies and parade will be held on Monday, May 28th beginning at 9:45 a.m. behind the Town Hall on Janes Avenue, marching directly to Baxter Park, where a brief ceremony will be conducted beginning at 10 a.m. Be sure to check Medfield Patch Thursday morning for our resident's guide to Medfield's Memorial Day 2012.


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