Adam Vetere marched in inaugural parade
Navy Midshipman Adam M. Vetere, son of Mariann and John Vetere of Andover, along with others of the Naval Academy’s 24th Company, proudly marched in the 57th Presidential Inaugural parade in Washington, D.C.
Vetere is a 2010 graduate of Andover High School and joined the Navy in June 2011.
The 24th Company was chosen to participate in the parade due to its status as the Brigade’s Color Company. The Academy’s Color Company competition is a tradition that began in 1867 and recognizes “the superior performing company based on exceptional academic, athletic and military professional performance.” Thirty companies make up the Naval Academy’s student body, which is referred to as the Brigade of Midshipmen.
The U.S. military has provided ceremonial support of presidential inaugurations since George Washington’s first inauguration in 1789. Military support during presidential inaugurations honors the new commander-in-chief and democracy.
Founded in 1845, the U.S. Naval Academy today is a four-year service academy that prepares midshipmen morally, mentally and physically to be professional officers in the naval service. More than 4, 400 men and women representing every state in the U.S. and several foreign countries make up the student body, known as the Brigade of Midshipmen. U.S. News and World Reports has recognized the Naval Academy as a top five undergraduate engineering school and a top 20 best liberal arts college, according to information provided by the school.
Upon graduation, midshipmen earn a federally funded bachelor’s degree in a choice of 23 different subject majors and go on to serve at least five years of exciting and rewarding service as commissioned officers in the U.S. Navy or U.S. Marine Corps.
St. A’s pastor elected Villanova trustee
The Rev. Peter Gori, OSA, JCD, pastor of St. Augustine Parish in Andover, has been elected to the Board of Trustees of Villanova University in Villanova, Pa. Fr. Gori also lives in Andover.
Father Gori was one of four new members to join the university’s 34-member board, effective Jan. 1. A private practice Canonist, Fr. Gori has served as a member of the Metropolitan Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Boston since 1989. He also sits on the Presbyteral Council, Archdiocese of Boston and is UNICO’s chaplain.
Following his ordination as an Augustinian priest in 1979, Fr. Gori became the parochial vicar of St. Nicholas of Tolentine Parish in Jamaica, N.Y. He subsequently served as parochial vicar at St. Augustine Parish, Andover; pastor of St. Augustine Parish, Lawrence; founding pastor, Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Methuen; and chaplain of the Presentation of Mary Sisters, Methuen.
Fr. Gori has been actively involved on the Boards of the Steward Health Care System, currently serving as a trustee/director of Holy Family Hospital in Methuen, and is a member of the Board of Directors of Lazarus House Ministries in Lawrence.
Two serving on Hadassah regional executive board
Two Andover women are serving on the executive board of the Northern New England Region of Hadassah, which encompasses 20 chapters and 5,000 women in northeastern Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine.
Rhonda Saunders and Sondra Finegold, both of Andover, are area vice presidents.
“Founded in 1912, Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, is the largest women’s membership organization in the United States. [Approximately] 330,000 members strong, Hadassah is entering its second century, growing its commitment to innovative and life-changing medical care and research, women’s empowerment, education, advocacy, philanthropy and building Jewish identity,” according to a release from the group.
