Wareham will be celebrating its Veterans Day Parade comeback with two grand marshals this year and committee members had nothing but praise for the candidates and their military service.

John Fearing, a Navy Seabee who fought in WWII and the Korean War, and Lew Ferretti, a Marine who fought in Korea, will serve as this year’s parade grand marshals, which means they receive the honor of leading the Veterans Day Parade.

“I think we can all agree we have two amazing, stellar candidates that have demonstrated a complete lifetime of service both to the Wareham community and to our nation," said Matthew Stanton, civics teacher, JROTC instructor and member of the Parade Committee, during a Grand Marshal Ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 25.

"Honestly, we could not be more proud that you have allowed us to honor you gentleman along with all of the veterans, past and present,” Stanton added. 

Both men have storied histories of military and community service. 

Fearing had to drop out of Wareham High School in the 10th grade to help support his family, said Howie Smith, Wareham Minutemen and Militia Companies representative.

A year or two later, in 1944, Fearing enlisted in the Navy Seabees where he would then serve on the USS Topeka and USS Fall River. 

Fearing was honorably discharged in 1949 and remained on active duty while starting his family. 

In 1951, Fearing was called back to the Navy to serve on a submarine during the Korean War before being discharged for a final time in 1954. 

Over his time in military service, Fearing received three award medals. 

Smith said, “He [is] a good friend, a friend of my father's and a friend of my family.”

Steve Baptiste, who nominated Ferretti and served as the 2014 Veterans Day Parade grand marshal, gave Ferretti’s introduction.

Ferretti was born in Sagamore and attended Bourne High School.

Ferretti said he can still recall the final football game of his senior year against Wareham, who was Bourne’s biggest rival at the time. 

He would later become a police officer and attend Providence College before receiving his master’s at Boston College. 

Baptiste said Ferretti joined the Marine Corps for the Korean War, where he was able to become a full colonel. 

Baptiste reflected on his relationship with the Ferretti family, sharing how he would often get invited to parties by Ferretti’s four boys. 

“I feel like I’m their family,” he added.

He said he and Ferretti spend every Sunday together and “that's an honor for me.”

To the grand marshals, Stanton said, “You both are the examples of what we strive to be as citizens of this community.”

Ferretti said, “I think it’s important that we recognize our veterans, especially those who do not come back and also for those who are missing in action today. We need them back.”

Following introductions, Fearing and Ferretti received their grand marshal sashes from Julio Roderick, who served as the last Veterans Day grand marshal and will be this year’s master of ceremonies.

Going to the parade

On Nov. 11, the parade will take place on Main Street, beginning at 10 a.m. at Besse Park, which is located across from Tobey Hospital, and ending at Center Park, which is the green space across the street from WCTV’s Office.

Before the parade, there will be free balloon animals and face painting at Pezzoli Square from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. 

Stanton suggests arriving early to find parking and enjoy some of these activities before the parade begins.

There will be parking at Town Hall with a shuttle. Off Main Street parking is an option until 9:45 a.m. 

After the parade there will be parking across from Wesley Church and at the Tremont Nail Lot. Handicap parking will be available at WCTV. There will be no parking on Merchants Way while parade participants are setting up.

There will be a reviewing stand at the Wareham Fire Department and a ceremony will follow the parade at Centre Park, which will then be followed by a free meal for veterans at the First Congregational Church, located at 11 Gibbs Avenue.