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It's devastating
Elderly veteran killed in parade tragedy
November 11, 2004
WHITMAN, Mass. -- An 80-year-old veteran was killed Thursday morning when he was run over by a van as he prepared to march in the town's Veteran's Day parade.
William Hammond, of Abington, was a decorated World War II Army veteran who fought in the Battle of the Bulge. As captain of the color guard, he was lining up with fellow veterans at the start of the parade route when the van backed over him, witnesses said.
The van was owned by the local Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter and was operated by a close friend of Hammond. The driver, who was not identified, was taken to a local hospital to be treated for distress.
"It's devastating," said Richard Slowey, adjutant of VFW Post 697. "Bill is a very warm and very kind person."
A man who answered the phone at Hammond's house declined to comment. Post members said he and his wife, Irene, had several children and that Hammond owned a contracting business.
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