Hopedale’s Council on Aging hosted a poignant Veterans Day program at the Hopedale Community House on Thurs., Nov. 6.  

 Six members of the Memorial Elementary School’s 6th grade class were invited to share their original poems during the program. The Junior Senior High School’s A Capella Chorus, led by Mr. Christopher Chatham, performed as did Hopedale’s Senior Chorus. 

State Representative Brian Murray expressed words of thanks and appreciation as did Mr. Thomas Beder, veteran of the United States Marine Corps. The program was a touching tribute to our local veterans, including those citizens of Hopedale who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation.

Submitted by Hopedale Public Schools

“Untitled”

By Elly Te

Silence talks louder than words,                          

And in your hand you can hold

A poppy not shimmering gold,

But a flower to give the deserved,

We have this day

To remember the way

We honor all those people

Even with uniforms

That started to fray.

You risked your like

Just for us

To live a good life

And now we will hush.

Anyone who goes against

The brave

For we will defeat

And they will behave.

“Veteran’s Day”

By Adeline Oleksyk

A day of love

A day of life

A day of remembering 

Those in the fight.

A day of thanks

Tangled and tied.

Written and wrapped 

For people who tried.

A day of veterans

One by one

Who marched straight down

Clutching their guns.

And even if

Some were lost in the fight,

We will embrace them

Every day and night.

This is why we still stand

From the grassy hills to the wavy sand.

This is why we’ll never forget

To always honor our beloved vets.

“Giving Thanks”

By Charlotte McDonnell

Thank you for supporting our country

Thank you for fighting for us

Thank you for always being there when we need it

Thank you for staying loyal to us

Thank you for never giving up

Thank you for being brave for us

Thank you for helping solve some of our problems

Thank you for dedicating your lives to us

Thank you for paving a path for us

Thank you for the sacrifice you made

And finally being here today!

“The Past is Gone”

By Marley Kaye

The past is gone, hip hip hooray and we give thanks to those who saved the day.

The past is gone, but we celebrate on this very day of Veterans Day.

The past is gone, but we still remember the ones who died for our freedom.

The past is gone, but we still give honor to family or friends who passed.

The past is gone, but we still give our gratitude to the ones who made it out.

The past is gone, but the ones who live hate the sound of pain from so long ago.

The past is gone, but the memories will never ever disappear from the mind.

The past is gone, hip hip hooray and we give thanks to those who saved the day.

The past is gone now that we have our rights and free way of life.

The past is gone along with the fear of losing loved ones far and near.

The past is gone, have no fear for people have fought bravely for me and you.

The past is gone as the memories fade, so live in the now with the ones who love you.

“Veterans Day”

By Riley Cronin

Dear Veteran, we just want to say

We think of you on this special day.

You went far away so we could stay

Safe and free every day.

Because of you, our flag can still fly,

Across our land, beneath the sky.

Because of you, we get to be

Kids who live brave and free.

You marched through the heat

You stood tall on your feet.

You fought through the rain

You had courage and faced the pain.

Today we honor all you gave.

The strong, the best, and the brave.

Thank you, Veteran, for all you’ve done.

In our hearts, you’re always number one.

“Veterans Day”

By Juju Carneiro

On Veterans Day, we honor and remember those who served

And remember their hard work.

On Veterans Day, we show our appreciation

We show this because of their dedication.

On Veterans Day we admire their work

And cherish the lives this job has took.

November 11th, 2025, we gather here today

To celebrate the ones with flags over their graves.

This day is not just for anyone.

It is for the ones who are watching above.

So thank you to the ones who are still here.

We greatly appreciate the work from these fellow peers.

We appreciate the ones who are here today

And especially the ones where the ground is where they lay.

So thank you all for joining us today

And happy Veterans Day.