Shrewsbury seniors remember 9/11

By Stacey Lavely, Contributing Writer

Shrewsbury – On Sept. 11, the Shrewsbury Senior Center held a strawberry shortcake social at the Village Café to remember 9/11, featuring State Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury).

The event featured patriotic music played on the piano by volunteer Barbara Anderson of Shrewsbury. Moore greeted guests at their tables and gave opening remarks.

“I always enjoy sponsoring these types of events each year,” he said. “It’s great to sit down with folks to get the scoop about what issues are most important to them. As a public servant, I have the opportunity to help members of the community with navigating through red tape in government, and to spread information about resources and programs available to residents. I may not have the ability to resolve every issue, I take pride in knowing that my office works hard to advocate on behalf of local Shrewsbury residents.”
He then turned over the microphone to Adam Costello, veterans’ coordinator of Easter Seals Massachusetts and former veterans’ agent regional manager for Shrewsbury and the surrounding towns.

Costello first asked the group if they had heard of Timothy Bolyard or Brian Arsenault, two soldiers who had died in the line of duty over the last several years defending the country’s freedom since the attacks on the World Trade Center.
He noted that the events of 9/11 motivated him to join the military – his second child was born nine days earlier and he felt it was his duty to not only defend his family, but also his country. He regaled the group with numerous stories of his tours of duty and then opened the floor for others to share their experiences.

After an emotional outpouring of stories from the guests, the event concluded with an upbeat rendition of “Grand Old Flag.”

“This was a great event,” said veteran Ken Swift. “I hope they do it again next year!”