On Veterans Day, the New Ipswich Fire Department opened its doors to host a dinner honoring those who have served in the military.

“In the fire service, we talk a lot about service, sacrifice, brotherhood, and putting others before ourselves,” New Ipswich Fire Chief Ben Hatcher said at the dinner. “Those are values we hold close to our hearts. But tonight, we’re surrounded by men and women who have lived those values in ways many of us will never fully understand.”

The Fire Department hosted the dinner, with the town’s Patriotic Purposes Committee helping provide food and serve.

The New Ipswich Fire Department and Patriotic Purposes Committee put on a Veterans Day dinner at the fire station.
The New Ipswich Fire Department and Patriotic Purposes Committee put on a Veterans Day dinner at the fire station. Credit: Courtesy
The New Ipswich Fire Department and Patriotic Purposes Committee put on a Veterans Day dinner at the fire station.
The New Ipswich Fire Department and Patriotic Purposes Committee put on a Veterans Day dinner at the fire station. Credit: Courtesy

The department started the dinner as an annual tradition when Hatcher became chief in 2024.

“It’s my favorite event to put on, out of all the events we do as a fire department,” said Hatcher.

The department includes several veterans among its roster, including senior firefighter and Army veteran Eric Maxwell, firefighter and Army veteran Dennis Eastman and firefighter and Air Force veteran Austin LaFreniere.