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Wakefield veterans board accepts VSO report, confirms summer food-bank dates and Veterans Day plans
Summary
At its June meeting the Wakefield Veterans Service Board accepted a VSO report, confirmed monthly food‑bank dates through September, discussed Veterans Day ceremonies (Nov. 11) including medal presentations and potential guest speakers, and agreed to skip August meetings.
The Wakefield Veterans Service Board voted to accept the Veterans Service Officer’s (VSO) June report and settled logistics for summer assistance programs and upcoming commemorative events.
The VSO, David Mangan, gave a two‑page report dated June 16, 2026, that detailed a recurring Greater Boston Food Bank drive-through distribution at the Wakefield Food Pantry (next scheduled June 17, 9–11 a.m. to serve 32 veterans and their families) and confirmed continued monthly distributions through July, August and September. “We’re going to have the food bank every month, the third Wednesday of the month,” Mangan said, adding that July’s distribution will be July 15, August’s on Aug. 19 and September’s on Sept. 16, all from 9 to 11 a.m.
The board approved the VSO report by voice vote. Chair called for the motion to accept the minutes and the VSO report, it was seconded and members responded in the affirmative.
Board members spent the meeting planning community events tied to veterans’ recognition. Mangan said the 99 Restaurant in Stoneham has discussed donating 20% of a day’s sales to the Stoneham Veterans Relief Fund for a lunch tied to World War II veteran Charlie DeNucci’s 99th birthday, and that he has coordinated publicity with local veterans’ organizations. He also outlined a project to assign QR codes to photos in the Galvin School veterans display to provide extended biographical information.
Veterans Day preparations were a key item: members confirmed the Veterans Day ceremony is set for Nov. 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Calvin Middle School and discussed inviting a high‑profile guest speaker (the board discussed contacting Joe Milano among other options). Mangan also noted planned medal presentations, including at least one Medal of Liberty and an Ambassador of Peace medal for local families.
Members discussed Purple Heart Day (Aug. 7) and the annual lighting of the Veterans Park and World War II memorial paver section with donated purple lights; they also reviewed plans to frame and display World War II posters donated by Chief Sullivan at the Senior Center. The board agreed to take July and August off from formal meetings, with the next meeting tentatively set for Sept. 15; staff will continue to circulate VSO reports during the summer.
The meeting concluded with a unanimous voice vote to adjourn. The board will reconvene in September to advance Veterans Day preparations and Town Day participation.
