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Veterans Day: Acton flag raising marks Marines’ unflagging service

Veterans Leo Carroll and Bob Recco helped hoist the Marine flag as a police and fire color guard stood by.

Marine Corps veterans gathered in Acton Center for the ceremonial flag raising. Photo: Dakota Antelman/The Acton Bridge
Marine Corps veterans gathered in Acton Center for the ceremonial flag raising. Photo: Dakota Antelman/The Acton Bridge

Officials, veterans, and other supporters gathered in Monument Square on Monday to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Marine Corps.

Veterans Leo Carroll and Bob Recco helped hoist the Marine flag as a police and fire color guard stood by. Organizers said this was the first time the USMC flag flew from the town flagpole.

“God bless it,” Carroll told The Acton Bridge. “We’re still here after 250 years.” 

Beyond the Marine Corps celebration, Acton was also to hold its annual flag retirement ceremony at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery on Tuesday in observance of Veterans Day.

Photos: Dakota Antelman/The Acton Bridge

Former Select Board Chair Henry Dane, left, speaks with Fire Chief Brian Whitney and Fire Capt. Sean Murphy.
Former Select Board Chair Henry Dane, left, speaks with Fire Chief Brian Whitney and Fire Capt. Sean Murphy.
Veterans Bob Recco, left, and Leo Carroll, center, help Fire Capt. Sean Murphy unfurl the Marine Corps flag in Acton Center.
Veterans Bob Recco, left, and Leo Carroll, center, help Fire Capt. Sean Murphy unfurl the Marine Corps flag in Acton Center.
Fire Capt. Sean Murphy, a Marine Corps veteran, prepares a flag to be hoisted in Monument Square. Photo: Dakota Antelman/The Acton Bridge
Fire Capt. Murphy, a Marine Corps veteran, prepares a flag to be hoisted in Monument Square.
Murphy shouts a command to the assembled color guard.
Murphy shouts a command to the assembled color guard.
Sean Murphy, left, and fellow Marine veterans Leo Carroll, right, and Bob Recco, not pictured, helped raise the Marine Corps banner.
Murphy, left, and fellow Marine veterans Leo Carroll, right, and Bob Recco, not pictured, helped raise the Marine Corps banner.
Fire Chief Brian Whitney salutes during a ceremonial raising of the Marine Corps flag.
Fire Chief Brian Whitney, center, salutes during a ceremonial raising of the Marine Corps flag.
The American flag flies over Acton.
The American flag flies over Acton.

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