Mashpee holds 3rd annual veterans banner dedication with Wampanoag land acknowledgment

The Mashpee Historical Commission and its Veteran Banners Committee held the town’s third annual veterans banner dedication in Mashpee Center, organizers said, displaying banners honoring local veterans across 19 lampposts.

Richard DeSauger, chair of the veteran banners committee and a member of the Mashpee Historical Commission, opened the ceremony and delivered the commission’s Wampanoag land acknowledgment: “The Mashpee historical commission recognizes and honors the many generations of Wampanoag people who have lived and have been sustained in this territory for more than 12,000 years.” DeSauger said the event was held in the “heart of Mashpee Center” on a sunny day and thanked organizers, volunteers and sponsors.

The event included an honor prayer led by Earl Mills Jr., introduced as Chief Swift Eagle and a lifelong Mashpee resident, who asked attendees to remember those who “never made it back home” and to hold veterans “high in their hearts.” Select Board Chair John Cotton, a veteran who noted his son currently serves in the Marine Corps, spoke on behalf of the town and thanked volunteers, calling the banners “lasting reminders of courage, selfless service and the sacrifices made to protect the freedoms we enjoy.”

Jack Gardner of Mashpee VFW Post 5489 read the names of veterans represented on the banners across the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard. DeSauger told attendees that any Mashpee resident who honorably served, or was formerly from Mashpee, could be eligible for inclusion and explained that the program limits banners to two per lamppost (38 total banner positions). The committee partnered with the Mashpee Middle/High School National History Honor Society to produce a commemorative booklet, The Ultimate Sacrifice, Mashpee and the American Revolution, available free while supplies last.

DeSauger said organizers had planned that veterans would not pay for banners and that fundraising letters to businesses and civic organizations covered the cost. He named sponsors listed in the ceremony program and thanked the town Department of Public Works under Superintendent Catherine Laurent for installing the banners and maintaining the park.

Organizers also noted and resolved a recent production error: when the banners arrived last week the vendor had printed the same veteran image on both sides of some banners instead of two different veterans, which would have created too many duplicate banners for the available lampposts. "Luckily, we were able to work with the company and with the advantage of overnight delivery, we're able to get the banners here in time," DeSauger said.

After the reading, families came forward to receive banners, including members of the King family and relatives of Edgar Tobey and Robert Savage, and attendees were invited to the Archives Building for refreshments and a brief presentation recognizing sponsors. The ceremony concluded with community thanks and a reminder to view the banners and artifacts on display at the Archives and the library.