ST. JOHNSBURY — A woman who served in the Navy during the Vietnam War era will be the featured speaker at the town’s Veterans Day ceremony on Wednesday.
Dyanna Thresher, of East St. Johnsbury, said she plans to share some of her challenges in the service as well as the pride she came to feel later in life for the three years she served with the Navy WAVES (Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service).
Thresher will step up to the microphone at Courthouse Park as part of a ceremony led by St. Johnsbury’s VFW Post 793. The day will include a brief ceremony on Veterans Bridge on Portland Street at 9 a.m. and a parade beginning at Frank Adams School about 10:15 a.m. that proceeds to the courthouse. The public is encouraged to line Main Street to support parade participants and to attend the ceremony in the park.
Dyanna Thresher is the wife of Thaddeus Thresher, an Army veteran and member of the local VFW. The Threshers have been married for 52 years; they’ve lived in East St. Johnsbury for 41 years.
Dyanna was invited to address the gathering by Vermont Army Guard Sgt. Carolyn Haggett, whose husband, Chris, is a VFW member. Haggett said it’s women like Dyanna Thresher who paved the way for more women to enter the Armed Forces.
Dyanna, 79, grew up in Littleton and graduated from high school in 1965. She said her decision to enlist in the military was partly motivated by her mother.
And now it’s time for your JJ Country sports…
The New England Patriots ran into to the buzz saw that are the Green Bay Packers on Sunday going down to the Green and Gold by a score 45-27. The Patriots set a franchise record for the most points given up at Gillette Stadium which opened in 2002. New England travels to Germany on Sunday to take on the Detroit Lions. Kick off at 9:30am.
In the NBA the Boston Celtics took down the Milwaukee Bucks Sunday night 117-97. Paul George with 27 points in the win. The Celtics hit the road to take on the 76ers in Philadelphia on Tuesday night.
In hockey the Boston Bruins won their 4th game in a row with a 4-1 win over the Florida Panthers on Sunday. Jeremy Swayman with 40 saves in victory. Next up for the Bruins will be the Montreal Canadians on Thursday night at the Garden. Puck drops at 7pm.