Celebration of Life Ceremony Honors WW2 Army Veteran Joseph Ponte, 3rd

By Bob Lessard, Historian Simeon L. Nickerson Post 64:-............................

Members of the Middleboro Veterans Council Honor Guard rendered military honors during a Celebration of Life ceremony for World War 2 Army veteran Joseph Ponte, 3rd of Fairhaven, Massachusetts on Sunday, August 10, 2014 at Middleboro’s Veterans Memorial Park for the 11 A.M. event.

Bruce Wright, co-ordinator for the Honor Guard, called the group together at the Simeon L. Nickerson Post 64 American Legion Hall for the celebration at the request of Ponte family members. “It was on honor to participate in this special family observance for the Pontes,” said Wright. “The Honor Guard participated in his funeral in the middle of March, but many family members were unable to attend at that time.”

“Sharon Vozella, daughter of the deceased, was instrumental in arranging this celebration,” said Walter Campbell, longtime member of the firing squad.

The Honor guard performed a military ritual with flag detail, firing squad, Taps and the flag presentation to the veteran’s wife Mrs. Helen Ponte. Firing squad leader, William Franks, presented the 21 shell casings from the 21-gun salute to Mrs. Ponte.

Daughters, Sharon (ponte) Vozella and Diane (Ponte) Perkins and son Joseph Ponte, 4th took an active part with their respective families.

Two of Mr. Ponte’s sisters, Irene Garnett and Joan Souza were also in attendance, while a third sister Mickey Smith was unable to attend.

American Legion members of Post 64, who participated, were Normand Record, Russell Pittsley, Walter Campbell, James Cadorette, William Blight, Bob Lessard, Bob Jordan and Charles Griffin of the firing squad, with William Franks commanding.

Other Legion members were Walter Elliott and Al Edwards, flag detail; Paul Kreitzberg served as Chaplain; and, Bruce Wright and William Oliver flag folders and presenters. Brian Reynolds and Bob Friday, VFW, also held flags. Wayne Packard, Commander of the Middleboro Veterans Council served as Master of Ceremonies.