Sylvester and Horrigan, Veteran's Day grand marshals

Looking back on his three years in the U.S. Army, serving at Fort Hamilton in New York before he was sent to Germany during the 1960s, Westborough native Robert Sylvester said he only remembers the positive things.

“It was very enjoyable,” Sylvester said. “You don’t remember the bad things.”

When describing his military experience, Westborough resident Paul Horrigan calls it both “interesting” and “enjoyable.”

At this year’s Veteran’s Day services on Nov. 11th, both Sylvester and Horrigan will be honored for their military services as Grand Marshals. On Tuesday, the two veterans sat down with Ken Ferrera, Assistant Veteran’s Agent and host of Westborough TV’s ‘Veteran’s Corner,’ to talk about their experiences, the town and the upcoming event.

“I really felt unworthy (of this honor),” said Horrigan. “I never anticipated I would be Grand Marshal.”

According to Ferrera, the Veteran’s Day Grand Marshals are selected based on their military experience and their service in the community.

“We like to recognize people in the town who have supported the community,” said Ferrera.

Sylvester, 74, was born in Westborough and served three years in the army. He was drafted into the army at 22 and spent two and a half years with the 7th Army, 17th Artillery near Stuttgart, Germany, and was promoted to the rank of E4 before returning to the states. He was discharged in Dec. 1962 with good conduct and Sharpshooter Medals.

Upon returning to Westborough, Sylvester graduated from Westborough High School and worked at the Bay State Abrasives factory until 1998.

After retiring, Sylvester started to volunteer at the Knights of Columbus and Senior Center, and is known for cooking the food at monthly events.

“I really enjoy doing community work in the town,” said Sylvester. “There’s always been something in me that wants to work all the time.”

Horrigan, 70, joined the army in 1962 after graduating from Boston College with his bachelor’s degree. He served in the army’s 1st Cavalry Division in Korea from 1963 to 1964 before he joined Military Intelligence and served in Germany as a Staff Sergeant.

In 1966, Horrigan joined the Army Language Institute for Vietnamese to study the language. He shipped out to Vietnam in 1967 and worked with the people to gain important information for the military.

“I would cultivate sources of info for the military,” said Horringan. “I really enjoyed my service in the military. I’m glad I had the opportunity to do it.”

He returned to the U.S. in 1968 and worked with Army Intelligence before resigning in 1969.

Horrigan is an active member of the St. Luke’s Church parish and has volunteered with activities through the Knights of Columbus, American Legion and Westborough Youth Hockey.

Both Sylvester and Horrigan will be honored on Nov. 11 during the Veteran’s Day Ceremony. The services begin at 9 a.m. at the VFW Post 9013 on Milk Street and will proceed to Pine Grove Cemetery, the town’s Vietnam Memorial, the Forbes Municipal Building and Rotary before ending back at the VFW post. State Senator Jamie Eldridge, and State Representatives Caroline Dykema and Matt Beaton are scheduled to speak at the events as well.

All are welcome to attend.