Sheriff’s Department hosts annual POW-MIA ceremony

The Essex County Sheriff’s Department hosted its annual ceremony honoring the 65 Massachusetts POW-MIAs on Friday, Sept. 17.

The Department’s Middleton facility is home to the state’s only monument bearing the name of each of the brave souls still missing. The ceremony included the solemn reading of each of their names, followed by the ringing of a bell, as well as a presentation of the Missing Man table to honor their service.

Leading the ceremony was Sheriff Kevin F. Coppinger. Also speaking were Congressman Seth Moulton, state Rep. Linda Dean Campbell, and William Shuttleworth of Vets Don’t Forget Vets.

The ceremony featured many employees who either served or are continuing to serve in the nation’s armed services. They include Sgt. Leonardo Jorge, also a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps; Officer Michael Cotton, also sergeant in the U.S. Army; Special Investigator Jerome Jellison, who is also a sergeant 1st Class in the U.S. Army National Guard; Capt. Arthur Statezni, a master sergeant in the U.S. Air Force Reserve; Officer Benjamin Skusevich; a specialist in the U.S. Army National Guard; Officer Jake Skusevich, a sergeant in the U.S. Army National Guard; and Officer Michael Anderson, a master Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force.

The Essex County Sheriff’s Department Honor Guard was joined by the Lynn English High School Marine Corps Junior Armed Drill Team in the processional. There were also musical performances by Sheriff’s Department Sergeant Ann Zannini, bugler Lauren Sargent of the Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical High School, retired Lynn Police Sgt. Edward Shinnick on the bagpipes, and the acapella group The Northshoremen.

To watch a video of the ceremony, click here.