Staff Report
The Towns of North Attleborough and Plainville, in partnership with their Department of Veterans Services, will hold a Veterans Day observance on Wednesday, Nov. 11.
The day’s events will begin with a breakfast honoring veterans from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Masonic Lodge, 46 South Washington St., followed by the annual Veterans Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. at Veterans Park, 43 South Washington St., in North Attleborough, according to information provided by the town.
The breakfast is provided by the Capt. Kyle R. Van De Giesen Memorial Award Fund.
This year’s ceremony, themed “250 Years of Defending Our Nation’s Freedom,” will recognize the service of the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces, while reflecting on the nation’s 250-year history.
The ceremony will feature a keynote address by retired U.S. Marine Corps Colonel Ryan A. Cherry, a Massachusetts native whose 25-year military career included multiple deployments to Iraq and the Indo-Pacific, command of a Marine aviation squadron and senior leadership assignments at the Pentagon, U.S. European Command and U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific.
Cherry graduated from Springfield College in 2000 and was commissioned into the Marine Corps that same year. A naval aviator, he served in numerous operational and leadership roles throughout his career, including as commanding officer of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469. From 2022 until his retirement in 2025, he served as Assistant Chief of Staff for Aviation, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific, at Camp Smith, Hawaii.
His military decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and Air Medal, among numerous other honors. Cherry is also a keynote speaker and bestselling author of “Readback: A Marine Aviator’s Manual for Navigating Life’s Hardest Lessons.”
The ceremony will include remarks from state and local officials, including state Rep. Adam Scanlon and North Attleborough Town Manager Michael Borg, along with representatives of the Plainville Select Board and North Attleborough Town Council.
Members of the North Attleborough Police Department Color Guard will present and retire the colors, while the North Attleborough High School Marching Band will perform the National Anthem and Armed Forces service songs. Local Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts will lead attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.