Plaque of Honor
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The Plaque of Honor serves as a public tribute to honor, remember, reflect upon, and recognize the service and sacrifices of our Armed Forces, First Responders, and Families of Fallen Heroes.
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Plaques of Honor for our Military and First Responders are tangible symbols of the immense sacrifices and unwavering dedication demonstrated by those who selflessly serve their communities and country. These emblems, often displayed prominently in public/private spaces or institutions, represent the profound reverence and appreciation we hold for the brave men and women who put their lives on the line to protect and safeguard our well-being. Each plaque is meticulously crafted, its polished surface gleaming as a testament to the heroic actions immortalized upon it. The inscriptions, etched in solemn permanence, capture the essence of valor, courage, and an unyielding commitment to the greater good that defines these honored individuals. Whether adorning the walls of a fire station, a police precinct, or a military base, institutions, or home these plaques serve as a constant reminder of the debt we owe to those who willingly confront danger, often under the most harrowing of circumstances, to ensure our safety and freedom.
They inspire us to reflect on the profound impact these heroes have on our lives, and to strive to embody the same spirit of service and sacrifice that propels them forward in the face of adversity. Truly, these plaques are not merely decorative objects, but hallowed testaments to the indomitable spirit that burns within the hearts of our nation's protectors.
Heroes that we have Honored
Below are the Heroes we have Honored
They risk their lives for us, Let us Honor & Remember Their Lives TODAY!
Nicholas was born on Feb. 12, 1988, in Hyannis. He is the first child and first son of Yarmouth Police Lt. Steven Xiarhos and his wife Lisa Xiarhos of Yarmouthport. His siblings are Alexander, 19, and his twin sisters, Ashlynne and Elizabeth, 15.
Nicholas attended Yarmouth schools and played Yarmouth Little League baseball with the Athletics. In 2005, he completed the Massachusetts State Police Junior Trooper Academy with honors. In June 2006, he graduated from Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School, where he was selected to be a Student Ambassador and played baseball and football with the D-Y Dolphins.
His family, friends, teachers, and coaches remember him as a kind-hearted, selfless person who went out of his way to help others. He was affectionately nicknamed "The Mayor of D-Y" due to his outgoing personality, popularity, and ability to get along with everyone. In their senior year, his classmates presented him with the title "Does Most For Others." Nicholas enjoyed music — particularly hard rock, playing videos games, driving his Jeep, and especially spending time with his family and friends.
Nicholas had an enduring passion about serving his country and joining the military, which was heightened by the events of Sept. 11, 2001. Nine days after graduating from high school, he entered the U.S. Marine Corps Boot Camp at Parris Island in South Carolina, where he was selected to be a Squad Leader. On Sept. 22, 2006, he earned the title of U.S. Marine.
Nicholas entered his first tour of duty in Iraq's Anbar province as a member of the historic 1st Battalion 9th Marine Regiment (1/9), nicknamed "The Walking Dead." 1/9 was responsible for all security missions in that area and was divided into Police Transition Teams (PTT) that worked directly with Iraqi police.
The lives of Nicholas and 49 other Marines and Iraqi police officers were saved in April 2008 when Marine Cpl. Jonathan Yale of 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines (2/8) and Lance Corporal Jordan Haerter of 1/9 stood in the path of a suicide bomber's truck and prevented it from entering the Marine outpost in Ramadi, Iraq. The two Marines gave their lives for the "Fortunate Fifty." Nicholas and his family were honored to attend the special ceremony at the Museum of the Marine Corps where Jonathan's and Jordan's sacrifices were recognized by the presentation of the Navy Cross Award for Valor, the highest award given by the Navy, to their families.
Nicholas rose conventionally from Private First Class to Lance Corporal and in March 2009 he was meritoriously promoted to Corporal.
When he learned that fellow Marine and D-Y classmate Cpl. Andrew Coville of Yarmouthport was deploying for battle in Afghanistan, Nicholas left 1/9 to fight alongside Andrew — and to honor the battalions of Jordan and Jonathan.
Nicholas personally met President Obama at Camp Lejeune in 2009 when the President gave a speech to the thousands of Marines preparing to deploy for war in Afghanistan with his historic 10,000-member Marine Expeditionary Brigade as a renewed offensive against Taliban insurgents. President Obama spoke of great sacrifices, stating, in part: "Each of you has your own story. And that story is now a part of the history of the United States of America — a nation that exists only because free men and women have bled for it from the beaches of Normandy to the deserts of Anbar; from the mountains of Korea to the streets of Kandahar. You teach us that the price of freedom is great. Your sacrifice should challenge all of us — every single American — to ask what we can do to be better citizens."
At the time of his death on July 23, 2009, Nicholas was an Infantry Assaultman Shoulder Launched Multi-Purpose Assault Weapon (SMAW) Gunner, Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) Gunner, and Squad Leader with 2nd Battalion — known as "America's Battalion" — of the 8th Marine Regiment Weapons Company based at Camp Lejeune, N.C. During his three years of service, Corporal Xiarhos earned a Meritorious Mast Award for Outstanding Performance, Good Conduct Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, National Defense Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Combat Action Ribbon, Naval Unit Citation, and will be awarded the Purple Heart posthumously.
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Jared C. Monti enlisted in the National Guard as a high school junior under the delayed entry program on March 11, 1993. He went to basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., between his junior and senior year of high school. After graduation, he switched over to active duty and completed his initial military training at Fort Sill, Okla. After graduating from his Advanced Individual Training, he was awarded the military operations specialty 13F, or Fire Support Specialist. A fire support specialist leads, supervises, and serves in an intelligence and target-processing role in Field Artillery units of all sizes across the Army.
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After graduating from basic and AIT he was stationed at Fort Riley, Kan. Monti was then assigned to the Korean Peninsula as part of the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, in the demilitarized zone. After leaving Korea, he moved to Fort Bragg, N.C. From Fort Bragg he went back to Korea before eventually ending up at Fort Drum, N.Y.
His military education includes completing the Combat Life Savers course in 1995, Basic Airborne School in 1997, Primary Leadership Development Course in 1998, Basic Noncommissioned Officer course in 2001, Air Assault course in 2002 and the Joint Firepower/Control course in 2004.
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Monti was deployed with his unit when they were attacked by a group of enemy insurgents. When another soldier was wounded, Monti attempted to rescue him three times and was killed in action. President Barack Obama signed the authorization for Monti to receive the Medal of Honor and the medal was presented to his family in a ceremony, the President's first, at the White House in 2009. Monti was the sixth person from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to be awarded the Medal of Honor.
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His awards and decorations (prior to earning the Medal of Honor) include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal with four oak-leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with three oak-leaf clusters, Good Conduct Medal 3rd Award, National Defense Service Medal (2), Korean Defense Service Medal (2), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (2), Kosovo Campaign Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral two, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral three, NATO Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal, Global War of Terrorism Service Medal, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge and the Air Assault Badge.
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In January of 2023 we presented a plaque of honor to his Granddaughter and Great Granddaughter.
She was born in Fitchburg on July 26, 1968, daughter of Sandra (Tyler) Massalski of Townsend and the late John Joseph Massalski. Tracy was a 1986 graduate of No. Middlesex High School and later graduated from Mt. Wachusett Community College as well as Henry’s Hairdressing School. She had lived in Templeton for many years.
Tracy worked as personal care assistant and life coach with Mitchell Borque of Templeton as well as multiple children for ABA Services in Fitchburg. She served as an EMT for the Town of Templeton for 11 years. Tracy was involved in many charities in support of veterans,
Cpl. Charlotte "Chotsie" Pennington passed away on Thursday, April 19, 2018, while a resident at Greentree Manor in Waterford.
Formerly from North Kingstown, R.I., she was the wife of Frank (Gunner) Pennington. She was born in Jersey City, N.J. on Jan. 14, 1924, the daughter of Lottie and Leonard Gordon.
Chotsie was a U.S. Marine veteran, having served during World War II. After her service in the Marine Corps, she worked in Massachusetts, married Frank, and became a Navy wife and mother of three children. After 30 years of living the Navy life in various locations, the family settled in North Kingstown.
She worked in the education department at the University of Rhode Island, during which time she earned her bachelor's degree in education. For nearly 20 years she taught 5th grade at Hamilton Elementary School in North Kingstown. During her retirement years, she and Gunner continued to travel extensively and spend as much time as possible on a golf course. She will be remembered for her love of life, her marriage of over 60 years, her moves on the dance floor, and her wonderful relationships with her grandchildren.
Mabardy also served as a field training officer and as a member of Nantucket's S.W.A.T team while with the Nantucket Police Department. Mike made an impact while part of our Nantucket community by not only serving as a police officer but also as a hockey coach for the Nantucket High School. Mike was a great police officer and a great addition to the community, he was also a loving father,son and amazing friend.
Following high school, Scott headed off to college at the University of New Hampshire [UNH] where his psychology professor remembers Scott as ever polite and always a gentleman. While attending UNH, Scott brought his sportsmanship zeal to the game of rugby. If you’re visiting UNH, seek out the remembrance bench for Scott near the rugby field on campus. Scott’s love of country and career interests took root as a participant in the Army ROTC program. There, Scott was recognized by the Department of the Army as a superior cadet. During that period Scott attended the airborne course at Fort Benning, GA, where he received his basic parachutist badge.
In 2009 Scott F. Milley graduated from UNH with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, earning honors status with a 3.3 grade point average amidst his active sports schedule and military training. Following UNH, Scott entered active duty in the infantry branch and completed ranger school. He was commissioned to the 2nd Battalion 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, where he served as a platoon leader. Scott was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant, and was deployed to Afghanistan as part of operation Enduring Freedom. Under Taliban fire, while conducting combat operations in the Baraki Barak district of Afghanistan, 1LT Scott Francis Milley was shot and killed leading his soldiers when insurgents attacked his unit. He died on November 30, 2010, at age 23, giving his life to our country’s mission less than one month after his arrival in Afghanistan. 1LT Scott Francis Milley was a recipient of the Bronze Star, Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the Purple Heart.
Remembered as being larger than life and a person of highest distinction who loved God and Country in equal measure, Scott left an an immeasurable void in countless lives, but none larger than the cavernous loss felt every day by his loving parents Steven and Janice Milley, and his devoted siblings Ashley and Steven Jr.
Landing unconscious in a ditch, SSG Granville awoke to find the team medic working to stabilize him for transport to a Combat Support Hospital. Later transferred to Bagram for surgery, SSG Granville was eventually sent to Landstuhl, Germany where his left leg was amputated.
Arriving at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in mid-June, he spent nearly two months as an in-patient before being released for therapies and treatments. Additional surgery was performed on SSG Granville’s right foot 18 months after his initial injuries, requiring additional time spent at Walter Reed.
Staff Sgt. Joseph Granville, 27, of Vandling, PA., died Saturday, December 18, 2010. He is survived by his wife the former Stephanie Newak. They were married on January 24, 2005.
Born August 4, 1983 in Carbondale, PA., he was the son of Alwin (Al) Granville of Carbondale and Margaret (Mesiti) Granville of Mayfield, PA.
He was a 2001 graduate of the Carbondale Area High School and attended Lackawanna College's Honesdale campus. He was an Army veteran having served in Bosnia during Operation Joint Forge and served in combat in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was currently attached to the Pennsylvania National Guard A1-109th Infantry in Honesdale as a Training NCO. He was formerly employed as a corrections officer at SCI Waymart. He was a member of the VFW, Post 531 in Honesdale.
Antonio enlisted in the United States Army and served in Afghanistan. He was a member of Whiskey Company and was awarded several medals.
Kyle was born on April 14, 1980 in Ridgewood, N.J. Kyle was a 1998 graduate of North Attleboro High School. As quarterback of the football team, he led his team to a Super Bowl victory as a senior and was awarded the Hockomock League offensive MVP. He was also a Boston Globe and Boston Herald All Scholastic and a Sun Chronicle All Star. Kyle participated in the Children's Hospital Classic and was also awarded the MVP.
Kyle was a 2002 graduate of Saint Anselm College in Manchester, N.H., where he was quarterback of the football team, which was re-established after a 58-year hiatus. He received his bachelor of arts degree in criminal justice.
After completing Officer's Candidate School in Quantico, Va., in the summers of 1999 and 2000, Kyle was commissioned as a second lieutenant, USMC in 2002.
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The ceremony was held at the Joseph W. Martin School, where Kyle attended grammar school. Upon completion of the Officer Basic Course in Quantico and Flight School in Pensacola, Fla., Kyle graduated in 2004 with his Aviator wings and assignment to train as an AH-1W Super Cobra pilot. He was assigned to HMLA-169 at Camp Pendleton in California.
Kyle was deployed twice to Iraq and finally this past March to Afghanistan. Kyle was hand-selected to be a Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics School Squadron One (MAWTS-1) instructor, the Marine Corps' center for aviation excellence and tactical instruction, commencing June 2010.
For his service, he was awarded an individual action Air Medal with combat "V," for valor and the Air Medal Strike/Flight with numeral 12, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with two bronze stars, and the NATO International Security Assistance Forces - Afghanistan (ISAF) Medal
Presented a Plaque in 2021 during Stride & Ride Relay
Army SSG Micheal Downing, Age 54, died peacefully in his sleep on August 20th, 2020. Born June 21, 1966 to Laurie and Robert Downing. Michael is survived by his wife Dawnalee, his children Samantha Bullock, Jacqueline Kielty, Alexandra Kielty and James Downing. He was a brother to his three sisters and their husbands: Laurie Doane, Nancy & Bob Bocock, Lynne & Bill Allen and his many nieces and nephews.
Michael was a veteran of the U.S. Army. Over the course of his many years of service he earned the Purple Heart, The Bronze Star and numerous other respectfully earned awards. He retired as a decorated Staff Sergeant. Michael's experiences in the Army played an important role in his life. He always believed that the camaraderie with his battle brothers was very important and that maintaining those relationships was imminent. He always prioritized making people feel valuable and heard. Michael was known for his sharp wit paired with a very special sense of humor. He will be remembered as a selfless and humble man who’s generosity knew no bounds.These are only a few of the reasons he was loved and admired by so many.
Michael was a man of many interests, he loved riding his Harley Davidson, playing a round of golf and even goal tending on his sled hockey team. He had a lifelong passion for hunting and enjoyed spending time at Reedy’s Archery. He had an innate connection to his farm and spent a great deal of time being a compassionate caretaker of his animals.
Michael was an avid supporter of numerous Veterans causes and groups, which he took sincere pride in helping pay things forward for future generations of veterans that shared his love and commitment to this country.
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Even from thousands of miles away, Mathew D. Puckett retained head-of-the-household status. Whether on the phone or through e-mail, he would make sure his younger brother and sister didn't think they could get into trouble just because he was away. "He still was the main guy of the family," said brother Joshua, 18. "If he told us to do something, even from all the way over there, you know we had better do it." Puckett, 19, of Mason, Texas, died Sept. 13 when his convey was attacked in Iraq’s Anbar province. He was based at Camp Pendleton, Calif. His mother, Sue Wood, said that even while facing the dangers of war, he worried more about whether his mother had enough money and that his siblings were safe. "He was living in hell and all he cared about was to make sure his family was OK," said Wood. Puckett enjoyed paintball fights, playing computer games, and farming, winning a coveted spot on the state-qualifying, four-person dairy cattle judging team. "I have two older brothers and will always have two older brothers," said sister Rhiannon Wood, 15. "One is just in a better place."