​A team of Nahant Veterans visited Greenlawn Cemetery this morning and reset the veterans markers and flags affected by yesterday's high winds. We appreciate the ongoing work done by our Town's DPW / Cemetery workers as they care for the grounds and help us honor our Veterans.

​October 4, 2020
Today, Nahant American Legion Post 215 lowers our Flag to half-mast in honor of National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day. 

Each year on the first Sunday of October, we honor fallen firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice saving and protecting their communities. The National Fallen Firefighters Monument, located in Emmitsburg, Maryland, pays tribute to all the valiant firefighters in the United States that have been killed in the line of duty.

In observance of National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day, the President directs the flags of the United States to be flown at half-staff at all local and state buildings, installations, and grounds throughout the Country from sunrise to sunset on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020.

For the complete Presidential proclamation see here.

In 1936 the 74th Congress declared, “the last Sunday in September shall hereafter be designated and known as ‘Gold Star Mother’s Day,’ and it shall be the duty of the President to request its observance as provided for in this resolution.” 

This year by Presidential Proclamation recognizes Sunday, September 27, 2020 as Gold Star Mother's and Family's Day. An excerpt from the proclamation reads as follow:

"The true strength and success of our Armed Forces is found in the love, support, and unity of our Nation’s military families, and this is reflected best in our country’s inspirational Gold Star Mothers and Families.  Shouldering their profound grief, they find the courage and conviction to move forward, transforming their heartache into hope, meaningful service, and outreach to veterans, support organizations, and other military families coping with the death of a loved one.  Their ability to overcome, persist, prevail, and in turn, enrich the lives of others, exemplifies the true American Spirit.  On behalf of our grateful Nation, I commend and honor them for their continued commitment to our military heroes."

The full text may be read here.

Gold Star Mothers may come together through the American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. (est. January 5, 1929),  a nondenominational, non-profitable and nonpolitical organization. Their mission:

Finding strength in the fellowship of other Gold Star Mothers who strive to keep the memory of our sons and daughters alive by working to help veterans, those currently serving in the military, their families and our communities.

We honor these Mothers and Families today. 

​This summer the Nahant American Legion, Mortimer G. Robbins Post 215 belatedly awarded Legion member Kenneth C. Gavin, Lieutenant Colonel, USAF (Retired) a Certificate of Recognition and Achievement of his 100th birthday and, for his outstanding service in the United States Army Air Corp and United States Air Force.
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We publicly recognize Colonel Gavin, who at the beginning of his service career flew two missions into Normandy on D-Day and also flew during Operation Market Garden attempting to liberate the Netherlands as part of the US Army Air Corps which then became the US Air Force. He served during the Korean war and continued serving until his retirement as Lieutenant Colonel, USAF and Operations Officer at Otis Air Force Base. 

​Following retirement from active and reserve duty in service of the United States he continued, and remains today, a vital and valued member of the Nahant community and the Nahant American Legion Post 215 giving years of service, assistance and comradeship.

​Vincent A. Jim” Steriti, 94 years old, died August 31, 2020 at his home in Nahant surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of the late Elizabeth “Betty” (Oliver) Steriti. He was born in Revere, March 14, 1926, the son of the late Albert and Theresa (DiGianni) Steriti. He was raised in Revere and was a graduate of Revere High School. He moved to Nahant in 1973. He was an Army Veteran of WWII serving as a Sergeant in the Army Air Corps. He served as an airplane armorer in the Asiatic Pacific Theater with the 39th Fighter Squadron. Jim was a member of the American Legion Post in Nahant, a member of the Mottolo VFW Post 4524 in Revere. He was a communicant of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Nahant. Jim served as a Deputy Chief in the Revere Fire Department. He retired in 1977 after 26 years of service to the City of Revere. He is survived by his two sons, Edward Steriti, a Revere Firefighter, and his wife Antonia of Nahant, Dr. John Steriti and his wife Kristen of Lynn , four daughters, Dianne Skreslet-Doucette and her husband Donald of Peabody, Linda Cataldo and her husband Robert of Wakefield, Carol Steriti and her partner  Richard Sek of Revere and Judy Steriti and her partner Kevin Bailey of Nahant.  He leaves a companion Joan Buccini of Revere. He was “Grumpy” to his 13 grandchildren and 9 great grandchild. He is the brother of Nora Moccia of Lynnfield, Rosemarie Maloney and her husband Bill of Peabody and the late Angelo Steriti, Father Edward Steriti OCSO, and Eleanor Misci. Jim’s funeral will be private  The family prefers donations in lieu of flowers  to support, St. Joseph’s Abbey, 167 North Spencer Road, Spencer, Massachusetts 01562.  Guestbook at www.solimine.com.

Purple Heart Day is observed on August 7 each year and is a time for Americans to pause to remember and honor the brave men and women who were either wounded on the battlefield or paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives.

This year, the Nahant American Legion Post 215 will join other communities around the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to "light it up purple" in remembrance and honor of the sacrifices made by Purple Heart recipients. On Friday, August 7th we will be illuminating our Flag pole and post purple. The Town of Nahant and our American Legion Post has several Purple Heart recipients. 

The Purple Heart was created by General George Washington in 1782 to recognize exemplary military service. General Douglas McArthur reestablished the medal in 1932. The medal is made of a purple cloth cut in the shape of a heart with the word “Merit” sewn upon it.