LAWRENCE — Services in observance of the Veterans Day holiday started Friday with a flag raising event outside City Hall and a luncheon at The Center.
Mayor Brian DePena along with elected officials, city councilors and residents attended the flag raising in the Campagnone Common across from City Hall.
Sgt. Robert “Butch” Gagne, a 98-year-old Navy veteran, and Army Private Carlos Erik Martinez, 26, represented the city’s oldest and youngest veterans.
Born in the Dominican Republic, Urena moved to Lawrence with his family when he was four.
While serving in the Marines, he was a tank commander during Operation Iraqi Freedom. During a fight with insurgents, he was struck by flying glass and debris, including a piece of scrap metal that became stuck in his left cheek. Urena was awarded the Purple Heart for his injury in combat.
He has served as the veterans director for the cities of Lawrence and Boston and as the state’s veterans director, and is currently the manager of the Greater Lawrence Municipal Airport.
The city will continue its commemoration of U.S. Veterans with a ceremony late Monday morning featuring decorated veterans.
U.S. Marine veteran and Purple Heart recipient Francisco Urena will be the guest of honor at an 11 a.m. ceremony at The Center, 155 Haverhill St.