Hopkinton Marathon Committee to Honor Veterans on Patriots’ Day at Boston Marathon Start
HOPKINTON, MA (April 8, 2024)—In honor of Patriots’ Day, the Hopkinton Marathon Committee (HMC) will honor two U.S. veterans at the start of the Boston Marathon. Both veterans work for the Hopkinton Department of Public Works, which plays important roles before, during, and after the Boston Marathon to keep the town and race clean and safe.
HMC chairperson Dorothy Ferriter-Wallace began the tradition of recognizing veterans at the start of the Boston Marathon, which falls on Patriots’ Day annually. “Honoring local veterans for their service to our nation is one of the highlights of my morning. It is important for us all to remember the sacrifices these men and women have made for our country. Bringing them to the starters’ platform to receive their recognition in front of the large race-day crowd and to hear the signing of the National Anthem, is a small part we play in letting them know we appreciate them, particularly on Patriots’ Day.”
Veteran Raymond Shehata has worked at the Hopkinton DPW for 11 years. He grew up in Alexandria, Egypt and moved to the US in 1997 at age 19. He lives next door to Hopkinton in Milford. His Mom and younger brother joined him in the U.S. in 2008. Shehata served in the U.S. Army for six years, including one tour in Iraq back in 2009/2010 working in military intelligence. He will also celebrate his 46th birthday on Patriots’ Day.
Veteran Kerry Reed, a New Jersey native, has lived in Hopkinton about 12 years and serves as the Director of Public Works in Hopkinton. The West Point graduate worked as an Engineer Officer in U.S. Army, stationed in Missouri, Washington, Korea, and South Carolina, mostly managing construction, but also training new soldiers and ROTC cadets. During her time in Hopkinton, she has also served on Hopkinton Conservation Commission for about 10 years. Her husband, Scott, and two boys Lucas, 15, and Grayson, 13, are backpacking on the Appalachian Trail with Boy Scouts the weekend of the Boston Marathon. She has many fond memories of watching the start with her family and cheering on friends running, as well as Kenyan runners that her son was especially excited about after meeting them at Elmwood School.
The Hopkinton Marathon Committee was established in 1979 to work in conjunction with the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.), the organizers of the Boston Marathon, to ensure that the annual running of the race is an exciting, successful and safe event for all concerned. Committee members contribute their efforts throughout the entire year to the planning, organization, and coordination of multiple facets of the race, working to protect the best interests and welfare of the town, its residents, businesses and visitors.
2023 Veterans
Muriel Kramer, U.S. Air Force
Kramer served in the US Air Force ROTC as a Syracuse University student. Upon graduating with her B.A in Mathematics in 1984, she served in the U.S. Air Force until August in 1998, earning the rank of Captain. A Hopkinton resident for more than 30 years, Kramer worked as a writer and a Certified Pharmacy Technician while raising six children, then earned her Masters degree in Social Work from Boston College in 2017. In addition to serving others in the military and through her career, Kramer has served her community in a variety of volunteer positions. A current member of the Hopkinton Select Board, and a full member of the Hopkinton Democratic Town Committee, Kramer has also served on the Planning Board, Board of Appeals, as chair of the Master Plan Committee, as Commissioner of Trust Funds, and as Deputy Town Moderator.
Peter Redding, U.S. Army
Redding graduated from Hopkinton High School in 1967 then from UMass Amherst in 1971 as a Distinguished Military Graduate with his BBA in Marketing. He entered the Army immediately after college, commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. Completing training in Ft. Benning, Georgia, and Ft. Lee, Virginia, he planned to make a career in the military. He worked in various positions in Colorado, Thailand, Texas, California, and Turkey, before moving closer to home at Ft. Devens because of some illnesses in his family. A Captain, he earned many honors including Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal, and Army Service Ribbon. He worked as a partner in his
father’s company, molding parts for military submarines.
Tyler Staback, U.S. Marine Corps
A Massachusetts native, Staback graduated from Worcester State University, where he studied Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration. Upon graduating he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, working in Aviation Communications. The Lance Corporal then worked as a public safety officer at a hospital before becoming a Massachusetts State Police Officer for three years. He began working for the Hopkinton Police Department last summer.
Brennan Grimley, U.S. Army
Grimley grew up in nearby Grafton and lives locally. He first started working for the Hopkinton Police Department as an intern while a college student at Norwich University in Vermont and was hired full-time last May. He began his military service in the Army ROTC at Norwich in 2018, before commissioning as a Second Lieutenant in the Army in 2020. He is now a First Lieutenant and military police officer in the Army Reserves, serving as the executive officer for a military police company.
Hopkinton Veteran Marshals:
Mike Whalen
Mike Shepard
