Cambridge to Commemorate Veterans Day on November 11 with Virtual Observance

The City of Cambridge Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) and CityView22 have produced a special video to commemorate Veterans Day 2020. A public observance will not be held this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Commemorative wreaths will be placed at the Cambridge Cemetery and at the site of the Washington Elm Memorial on the Cambridge Common in honor of Veterans Day.

Beginning on Wednesday, November 11, at 11 a.m., the commemorative video can be viewed on 22 CityView You Tube Channel.
After 11 a.m. on November 11, link directly here: https://youtu.be/nzPdwLwHuJs

The video includes messages from Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui, City Manager Louis A. DePasquale, and DVS staff, as well as a special address from Cheryl Poppe, Secretary of the Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS) for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Prior to her appointment by Governor Baker in October, Poppe served as Acting Secretary for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts DVS since June 2020 and held leadership roles within DVS and at the state’s two Soldiers’ Homes in Chelsea and Holyoke. A 30-year veteran of the Massachusetts National Guard, Poppe retired with the rank of Colonel in 2008. That same year, she was appointed Deputy Secretary for Programs, Services and Personnel with the Commonwealth DVS.

“Veterans Day offers us all the opportunity to recognize and honor the heroism of our military servicemen and women,” said Cambridge City Manager Louis A. DePasquale. “Although we cannot acknowledge our veterans through an in-person ceremony this year, it is important that we take a moment to acknowledge the sacrifice and patriotism of our veterans here in Cambridge.”

“Regardless of what format we use to celebrate our veterans, I urge all Cambridge residents to pause and reflect today on the many sacrifices our veterans have made, and appreciate the love and heroism they’ve shown for our country and our freedoms,” said Mayor Siddiqui. 

“It is an especially difficult time right now as our veterans cannot gather together to enjoy activities usually planned as part of Veterans Appreciation Week,” said Neil MacInnes-Barker, Director of Cambridge Veterans’ Services Department. “The camaraderie and networking they share at the Veterans Life and Recreation Center (VLRC) is meaningful to them.”

In-person activities typically scheduled as part of Veterans Appreciation Week will not be held this year. The City’s Veterans’ Services Department will share resources from various providers on November 12-13 through its social media platforms listed above. Some of the topics covered will include the benefit of acupuncture, guided meditation, flu shots, fitness and nutrition tips, and restorative therapy during COVID-19.


For more information on Cambridge Veterans’ Services, visit Cambridgemagov/vet.