2025 ANNUAL WELLESLEY VETERANS PARADE HONOREES
Grand Marshals
Distinguished Service Award
Chiefs of Staff
LTC Robert H. Fleming –US Army (Ret)
COL William F. Sinnott—US Marines (Ret)
CDR Crystal L. Schaefer –US Navy , Commanding Officer: USS Constitution, ”Old Ironsides
Community Service Award
Wellesley Historical Society (100 Year Anniversary)
Dedicated Service Award
Nathaniel “Nat” Brady (Assistant Fire Chief – Ret)
Special Recognition Award
Deland Gibson Insurance (125 Year Anniversary)
Dover Saddlery (50 Year Anniversary)
Café Mangal (25 Year Anniversary)
Green’s Hardware (20 Year Anniversary)
Isabel Harvey (20 Year Anniversary)
The Swellesley Report (20 Year Anniversary)
Wellesley/Weston Magazine (20 Year Anniversary)
Representing Our Wellesley Veterans
2026 Honorees will be nominated soon by the Wellesley Community and reviewed and selected by the Wellesley Celebrations Committee.
If you would like to nominate a business or individual, please submit nominate by clicking here.
Thank you. Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend. Dedicated to those who serve.
Members of the Wellesley community are encouraged to nominate individuals for recognition.
Click here to nominate your Wellesley Community Hero!
Weekly meetings prior to Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend are held by the Wellesley Celebrations Committee to evaluate nominations for distinguished service to our community. The 12-member committee votes on each submission.
Examples of Past Honorees
Pictured here is 2019 Co-Grand Marshal Dick Joyce
PARADE GRAND MARSHAL
The Grand Marshal is the person or group of people selected to be the public leader of events during Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend.
The Parade Grand Marshal has the ceremonial duty to lead the annual Veterans parade in Wellesley.
2019 honorees included Michael Pakstis, Co-Grand Marshal
Pictured here is 2019 Chief of Staff Dr. Larry DiBona
CHIEF OF STAFF
The Chief of Staff is the top ceremonial position in the Wellesley parade to honor military service.
The most well-known military use of the term “Chief of Staff” is associated with The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) — the body of the most senior uniformed leaders within the United States Department of Defense, that advises the President, the Secretary of Defense, the Homeland Security Council and the National Security Council on military matters.
The Chief of Staff of the Wellesley parade serves as the principal military and veterans advisor for the Wellesley Celebrations Committee in the performance of activities throughout Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend. The honoree is selected from among those Wellesley residents who have served with distinction our Country and our community.
Pictured here is 2019 Community Service Award Honoree Paul Criswell
COMMUNITY SERIVE AWARD
A person or organization selected for their noteworthy service to the community of Wellesley.
2019 honorees also included Michael D’Ortenzio, Jr., Dr. Robert Evans, Andrew Wrobel.
Pictured here is 2019 Distinguished Service Award Honoree Ellen Gibbs
DISTIGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
A person or organization selected for their noteworthy service to the community of Wellesley.
Pictured here is 2019 Dedicated Service Award Honoree Lynne Novogroski
DEDICATED SERVICE AWARD
A person or organization selected for their noteworthy service to the community of Wellesley.
2019 honorees included Debra Healy.
Pictured here is 2016 Special Recognition Award Honoree Henry Platt
SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD
A person or organization selected for their noteworthy service to the community of Wellesley.
2019 honorees included The American Legion, Babson College, Haskins Automotive, House and Garden Club of Wellesley, St. Andrews Church, Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club, Windsor Press.