Posted by Rosie Segil on Dec 13, 2022
At a recent luncheon, Marblehead Rotary members were honored to be in the presence of several veterans who served respectively in Vietnam, the Gulf, and Afghanistan. This band of brothers came out to support our speaker, David D. McKiernan, retired United States Army four-star general who served in Afghanistan as Commander of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). 
 
McKiernan briefly outlined the challenges of our military but also highlighted his connections with the town of Marblehead and Rotary. Did you know his uncle was the late Marblehead artist Thomas D. McKiernan? Although Tom held a long career in Foreign Service, he was an oil and watercolorist, active in Marblehead as a member of the art guild who painted our local architecture and harbors. Through this association, David had fond memories of his visit to our town, which he, and his wife, Carmen, now calls home! In addition, he acknowledged the good work of Rotarians—her daughter was a recipient of a Rotary scholarship to St. Andrew's University in Scotland. For years, academic and performing arts scholarships have been Marblehead Rotary's primary giving to our community and students. It was a delightful afternoon. We wish our veterans the best in their retirement to civilian lives and thank them for their years of service. 
 
 
Pictured here are, front row left to right:  Thatcher Kezer, Marblehead Town Administrator and former Air Force officer; Retired Four-Star General David McKiernan, our guest speaker; Buck Grader, Lt. Col. Marine Reserves; Gene Record, Former Marine Officer. Second Row from left to right:  Nancy Gwin, Co-President of Marblehead Rotary; Dave Rogers, Navy Veteran, and Marblehead Veterans Agent; Larry Gwin, Former Army Infantry Captain; Blair Lord, Co-President of Marblehead Rotary; Moses Grader, Former Marine Officer; and finally, Paul Clifford, Former Army Officer.