In honor of Patriots’ Day, the Hopkinton Marathon Committee (HMC) will honor four U.S. veterans at the start of the Boston Marathon. This year’s four honored veterans are: Muriel Kramer (U.S. Air Force), Peter Redding (U.S. Army), Brennan Grimley (U.S. Army), and Tyler Staback ( U.S. Marine Corps). On hand to help honor the veterans will be General James McConville, the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army.
HMC chairperson Dorothy Ferriter-Wallace began the tradition of honoring veterans at the start of the Boston Marathon. “One of my favorite moments each year at the start of the Boston Marathon is honoring local veterans for their service to our nation. Seeing them stand on the starters’ platform to receive their recognition, particularly during the singing of the National Anthem reminds us of the sacrifices these men and women have made and about the importance of Patriots’ Day. Having the General present will make the day even more poignant”
Muriel Kramer, currently a member of the Hopkinton Selectboard, started with the Air Force ROTC while studying Mathematics at Syracuse University. Upon graduation, she served at Hanscom AFB in Bedford MA from 1984-1988 as an Acquisitions Officer for Electronic Systems Division. “At the time working on a new project that I believe may be in service still today,” said Kramer. “Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS), essentially a sophisticated communication device that was used on multiple platforms (ground, ship, air), many services (Air Force, Army, Navy) and NATO to communicate whether airplanes in the area were ‘friend, foe, or unknown.’” In 1991 Kramer and her husband, Randy, moved to Hopkinton where they raised their six children and volunteered in countless roles within the community. “It has always been important to me to contribute to my community, and is the same for my husband as well, and our kids the same now that they are adults,” said Kramer, a social worker who has served in at least nine different town government roles. “Scouting, sports, and community governance have all seemed like the right way to invest our time hoping to make our community better in ways we are able. The happy side benefit is all the wonderful friends we have made along the way!”
Peter Redding, a Hopkinton High School alumnus, graduated from UMass Amherst in 1971 as a Distinguished Military Graduate with his BBA in Marketing. He entered the U.S. Army as a Second Lieutenant immediately after his time at UMass. He planned a military career and trained in Ft. Benning, Georgia, and Ft. Lee, Virginia, before being stationed in Colorado, Thailand, Texas, California, and Turkey and serving in many different capacities. He ended his military career as a Captain closer to home at Ft. Devens because of some medical issues with family members.. Redding earned many honors including Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal, and Army Service Ribbon. After honorable discharge, he stayed involved with the military molding parts for military submarines as a partner in his father’s company right in Hopkinton. “I was in the high school band and we played on the Common for the Marathon,” said Redding, who later volunteered as a Scout leader for years selling food on the Common.
Brennan Grimley first started worked for the Hopkinton Police Department as an intern the summer after his sophomore year at Norwich University. He was hired as a full-time officer in July of 2022. The Grafton, MA native began service in 2018 in the Army ROTC at Norwich, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant into the U.S. Army in 2020. He is currently a first lieutenant and executive officer for a military police company. Of working in Hopkinton, Grimley said, “My favorite thing about Hopkinton is the community. People are always bringing things by the station. Also people around town are always waving and making their appreciation of what we do known.”
Tyler Staback started working as an officer with the Hopkinton Police Department in July last year. He served with the U.S. Marine Corps from March of 2015 until September of 2021 at 29 Palms, California, and closer to home at Westover Air Force Base in Massachusetts. The Lance Corporal worked as an aviation communications systems tech. A Worcester State graduate, he grew up in Brimfield, MA. About the Boston Marathon and the Town of Hopkinton, Staback said, “My favorite thing about the marathon is the motivation and discipline exemplified by the runners and I appreciate the inviting and accepting nature of the town.”
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.
