Hear the bells ring: Mattapoisett celebrates Veterans day
Kathleen and Fred Kawa came from Whitman to enjoy the festivities.
Family and friends gather together to hear the ringing of the bells.
Mattapoisett Police officers applaud performances at Center School.
The Boy Scouts present the colors. 
The ringing of the bells was a solemn start.
The Showstoppers singing troupe sing the national anthem. 
Heads bowed honoring alive and fallen soldiers at the bells.
Boy scouts and police officers honor the flag.
Old Hammondtown students play their instruments.
Police officers salute the flag. 
The Boy Scout troupe leaders honor the flag. 
The Old Hammondtown conductor directs his student band.
Families and friends stood in silence while bells filled the air.
The Boy Scouts were in attendance of the event. 
The Showstoppers honor the flag.
Kathleen and Fred Kawa came from Whitman to enjoy the festivities.
Family and friends gather together to hear the ringing of the bells.
Mattapoisett Police officers applaud performances at Center School.
The Boy Scouts present the colors.
The ringing of the bells was a solemn start.
The Showstoppers singing troupe sing the national anthem.
Heads bowed honoring alive and fallen soldiers at the bells.
Boy scouts and police officers honor the flag.
Old Hammondtown students play their instruments.
Police officers salute the flag.
The Boy Scout troupe leaders honor the flag.
The Old Hammondtown conductor directs his student band.
Families and friends stood in silence while bells filled the air.
The Boy Scouts were in attendance of the event.
The Showstoppers honor the flag.
MATTAPOISETT — In the home of the brave and in the land of the free, bells rang out on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in Mattapoisett — honoring Veteran’s day and Armistice day.
On Tuesday, Nov. 11, Mattapoisett veterans, residents and children gathered around First Congregational Church to hear the ringing of the bells nationwide.
Veterans, families and friends then headed inside Center School for guest speakers and performances by the Showstoppers and Old Hammondtown Elementary School Band.
Emily Vachon played the trombone with the Old Hammondtown Band to celebrate veterans, especially her father who is in the Air Force. She explained the importance of the day.
“You want to let people who pass away or are serving that we appreciate what they're doing for us,” said Vachon.
Fred and Kathleen Kawa drove from Whitman to join their Mattapoisett family members for the day.
“As I grow older, the sacrifice that not only the veteran makes but their families, it's just incredible.” said Kathleen who has had multiple people in her family serve.
Fred served for 41 years in the Air Force, Army and the Army National reserves grateful to celebrate all veterans.
“I would encourage young people to get involved in the military. It's not just war you know. There's a lot of opportunities in the military,” said Fred.
The event was organized by the Mattapoisett Women’s Club and the American Legion Post 280.
The Women’s Club has been organizing the ringing of the bells for 8 years, but this is the first time they have hosted this type of event.
“If we don't share the history of America, then it's lost,” said Elaine Botelho, a co-chair of the Mattapoisett Women’s Club.
Botelho explained that remembering veterans and American history is the only way to preserve democracy and traditions.
“It's important to remind people of the sacrifices that veterans have been through for years…it's still very important to recognize that,” said Mary O’Keefe.
Kathleen Kawa reiterated, “It was wonderful and I would encourage everybody next year to come and support.”
