On Monday, June 3, Governor Maura Healey participated in the change-of-command ceremony for the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company – a centuries-old tradition on Boston Common that took on a uniquely local flavor this year, as both the outgoing and incoming commanding officers are Hullonians.

Ancient and Honorable-Fish-Kennedy-Haraden.jpg

Ancient and Honorable-T Haraden and Healey.jpg

THE HULL CONNECTION. Incoming Captain Commanding Michael Fish, left, and outgoing commanding officer Tim Haraden of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company took a moment from the change-of-command ceremony in Boston to pose with the statue of another veteran who spent time in Hull, President John F. Kennedy. At right, Haraden accompanies Governor Maura Healey across Boston Common. [Photos by Barton Hyte and Kirsten Haraden]

The Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts is the oldest chartered military organization in the Western Hemisphere. Its charter was granted in March 1638 by the Great and General Court of Massachusetts Bay and signed by Governor John Winthrop.

On the first Monday in June each year, company members march from historic Faneuil Hall to the Common, where they conduct the change-of-command ceremonies, followed by a church service in honor of the fallen, and a banquet to mark the occasion. In keeping with tradition, military units conducted a pass-and-review in front of the governor, visiting dignitaries, and a traditional salute from howitzers by the 101st Field Artillery.

This year, 315th Captain Commanding Timothy Haraden turned over leadership of the 700+ member organization to incoming Captain Michael A. Fish. Both men currently live in Hull.

In addition to Haraden, outgoing officers included Lt. Stephen Colella of Wakefield and Lt. Michael Wabrek of Amesbury. Incoming officers are Fish, Lt. John Damiano of Braintree and Lt. Robert Collins of Melrose.

Since 1746, the Ancients have been headquartered at Faneuil Hall in Boston, and maintain a unique military history museum and library on the top floor of the historic building. Relics of every war in which the country has been involved in are featured in the museum. According to a history of the organization, “Members of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company have served in every battlefield from Bunker Hill to Yorktown, the War of 1812 and the Civil War, both World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Strom, and Afghanistan. Its members still serve at home and abroad today.”

The biggest event of each year is the Fall Field Day Tour of Duty, generally a week-long goodwill trip. In the early years, this was a training period held after the harvest season (and formed the pattern of the two-week active duty training that the National Guard and reserve forces still use today). Eventually, these trips evolved to promote relationships between military units of different states and countries.

Haraden took the company to London during his leadership term, where members participated in a church service at St George’s chapel in Windsor Castle, followed by a parade through the city with the mayor – and the town crier – to lay a wreath at the home of the birthplace of the Ancients’ founder, the first captain commanding, Captain Robert Keayne. Members also held a banquet at the Palace of Windsor (more familiarly known as the House of Parliament) with members of Parliament, British and US military officers, and other dignitaries.

Fish had planned to take the company to Israel for a similar trip, but given recent world events, chose the alternate destination of New Orleans in the coming year.

Like what you’re reading? Stay informed with a Hull Times subscription by clicking here.

Do you have an opinion to share? Click here to write a Letter to the Editor.