Melrose Veterans Receive Medals of Fidelity
Written and Photographed By Nancy Clover
This week, Memorial Hall hosted an incredibly moving ceremony.
Medals of Fidelity were presented to the families of two late Melrose veterans — Lance Corporal Edward Hatch, United States Marine Corps, and Master Sergeant Scott Forbes, United States Air Force.
The Medal of Fidelity honors veterans whose deaths resulted from service-connected invisible wounds, including PTSD, mental illness, traumatic brain injury, and toxic exposures. It is an important reminder that not all wounds from military service are visible — and not all battles end when our veterans come home.
The medals were presented by COL Robert Driscoll of the Veterans' Services Advisory Board and Tamara Shovelton, Director of Veteran Services.
Lance Corporal Edward Hatch served in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. After returning home, he became a longtime member of Local 7 Iron Workers Union and built a life with his family here. He courageously battled cancer from Agent Orange exposure for 23 years before passing away on May 5, 2024, at the age of 80.
His Medal of Fidelity was presented to Maureen, his wife of 49 years. Watching her accept this honor for the man she shared nearly half a century with was incredibly touching.
Master Sergeant Scott Forbes dedicated 22 years to the Air Force and Air Force Reserve, completing three combat tours in Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan before retiring honorably as a Master Sergeant.
Many in Melrose also knew Scott for the life of service he continued after coming home. He served three terms on the Melrose Board of Aldermen, including as president, and was a passionate advocate for his fellow veterans. He also served as Executive Director of the Veterans Northeast Outreach Center, helping homeless and at-risk veterans. Scott died by suicide on March 6, 2023, at only 49 years old.
His Medal of Fidelity was presented to his daughter, Abygail. There are moments when words simply don't seem like enough. Watching a daughter speak about her Dad and accept this medal in honor of her father was one of them.
The ceremony wasn't simply about presenting two medals. It was about remembering two men who served their country and their community. It was about the families who stood beside them. And it was about recognizing something we should never forget: Some veterans come home carrying wounds we cannot see.
May we continue to talk about those invisible wounds. May we continue to reach out to our veterans. And may we never stop telling the stories of those we have lost.
To the Hatch and Forbes families, thank you for sharing Edward and Scott with our community. And to Lance Corporal Edward Hatch and Master Sergeant Scott Forbes — Melrose remembers you. We honor you. And we thank you.
