Veteran to Braintree students: 'I love the service and I never regretted it'

Sarah Idieu
·2 min read

BRAINTREE – Braintree High School honored Veterans Day by bringing local veterans to classes for the 15th year in a row Wednesday.

Outside the school, two dozen students listened to speakers including retired Army 1st Sgt. John Bourne, who talked about his love for the military, fun memories in the service and the awards he received during his service.

"I love the service and I never regretted it. There is no better country than the United States of America," Bourne said.

Retired U.S. Army 1st Sgt. John Bourne, of Rockland, talks with history students at Braintree High about his 27 years of service on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021. Bourne later was a custodian at Braintree High.
Retired U.S. Army 1st Sgt. John Bourne, of Rockland, talks with history students at Braintree High about his 27 years of service on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021. Bourne later was a custodian at Braintree High.

Bourne is the commander of American Legion Post 86 and he volunteers at the Brockton Special Olympics and the Brockton Veteran Affairs Medical Center.

"I stay very active for the veterans. My wife always says, 'Where are you going today?' " said Bourne, who was one of 11 veterans at the event.

After serving in the Army for 27 years, Bourne was a custodian at Braintree High.

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Another speaker, Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Jared Kercell, said he joined the Navy because he was inspired by his time as a Boy Scout and by his grandfather's Navy service.

Retired U.S. Army 1st Sgt. John Bourne, of Rockland, talks with history students at Braintree High about his 27 years of service.
Retired U.S. Army 1st Sgt. John Bourne, of Rockland, talks with history students at Braintree High about his 27 years of service.

In his early years in the service, Kercell worked on the USS Constitution. He was later a medic and traveled around the world.

"Italy is my favorite country," Kercell said. "Thankfully, I was able to work on the USS Mount Whitney in a little town called Gaeta in Italy."

Kercell, 29, gave a lively speech. Students laughed and didn't hesitate to ask questions. Kercell is now an armed forces recruiter in Quincy.

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"I want to give people the exact same experience I had. I've been to 18 countries and 24 states," he said.

Others who spoke were Army veterans Al Barese, Pete Vidal, Nicholas Charrette, Peter Gillis and John Pelose; Marines Heidi Hurley, James Garland and Frederic Myerson; and American Legion Post 86 Chaplain Bert Tremblay.

Gorman Lee, the school system's director of social studies, said the school's annual Veterans Day program is an invaluable experience and a chance for the students to get to know those who helped make America what it is today.

Retired U.S. Army 1st Sgt. John Bourne, of Rockland, talks with history students at Braintree High about his 27 years of service.
Retired U.S. Army 1st Sgt. John Bourne, of Rockland, talks with history students at Braintree High about his 27 years of service.

"We don't do enough for the veterans, so this is an amazing opportunity," Lee said. "The program is giving students better knowledge and more appreciation for our veterans."

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Reach Sarah Idieu at Sidieu@patriotledger.com.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Braintree High school hosts annual Veterans Day program