Veterans Day: Unveiling of Vietnam Plaque at Middle School

The Thomas A. Blake Middle School kicked off the Veterans Day weekend by holding an assembly honoring all veterans on Friday morning at which they also recognized the Vietnam veterans who attended Medfield High School during that time.The current middle school was the town's high school during the Vietnam War. The new high school opened in 2005.A small number of Vietnam veterans whose names appear on this new plaque were in attendance as well as some of Medfield's World War II and Korean veterans.The ceremony was hosted by Blake Middle School Principal Nat Vaughn and other members of the Vietnam Veterans Plaque Committee including Robert Maguire, Superintendent of Schools; Richard DeSorgher, Town Historian; Ron Griffin, Veteran Services Officer; Nancy Kelly-Lavin, Lord's Department Store; and Lee Tredway and Anthony Centore of the American Legion Beckwith Post 110.Boy Scout Troops 10 and 89 as well as Blake Middle and Medfield High School chorus and band members also took part in the ceremony.Two United States Marines from Medfield -- Peter Kristoff and Stephen Hinkley -- never made it home from the Vietnam War; they made the ultimate sacrifice.  Both were remembered with a 44 second Moment of Silence in their honor.  Immediately following that rememberance, Marshall Bushnell and Christian Newton played Taps and Rob Gregg played "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes.The Vietnam Veterans Plaque Committee members worked together with Eagle Scout candidate, Sam Marble, to create a location for this new plaque to be displayed.  In the spring of next year, it will be placed on the newly-paved area around the flagpole in front of the Blake Middle School entrance.In addition to the plaque being revealed, United States Coast Guard and former Blake Middle School teacher, John Parsons, along with current Blake School custodian and veteran, Bob Kadehjian, dedicated a flag to the students and staff of the Blake Middle School.  This flag was flown in Iraq. State Representative Denise Garlick (D-MA 13th Norfolk District, Beckwith Past Post Commander Frank Iafolla, Eagle Scout Candidate Sam Marble, Veteran Services Agent Ron Griffin, and Blake Middle School Social Studies teacher Deb Manning all spoke to the middle school assembly.

Selectman Osler "Pete" Peterson also attended the ceremony. Click here to see what he had to say about the event.