HomeMy Public PortalAboutVictory Field Letter - Mike Antonellis_201409080835167942Mr. Peter Centola
Watertown Recreation Department
January 13, 2014
Dear Coach Centola,
Victory Field is a powerful source of community pride for our town, and the
taxpayers of Watertown deserve a first-class facility that reflects our commitment to
athleticism, sportsmanship and health. The recent improvements on the Victory
Field property were sorely needed for the safety of our student athletes and
aesthetics of the property, but future, proposed improvements at the track, and field
house, can benefit all members of our community, not just our student athletes.
Victory Field was built to honor war heroes who gave their lives for freedom, and
today's beautiful facility is a testament to their sacrifices and our liberty.
In a year that forced our residents to be "Watertown Strong" in the face of
extraordinary evil, which touched our community profoundly, many of us looked to
Victory Field as a source of comfort and a meeting place to reflect, grieve and look
for hope. Organizing at the Victory Field track to support the Boston Marathon
bombing victims, a large group of people with American flags waving and candles
burning brightly focused on healing. These people could have come together at
Watertown High or the Town Hall, but we chose Victory Field because the word
"Victory" not only means winning on the field of play, but also being victorious
against the global threats of terrorism, war and hate. People come to Victory Field to
experience the thrills of victory in life and success against adversity.
I can't tell you how many times I've watched my children compete on Victory Field,
and during these games, visiting parents constantly comment on the beauty of the
facility. They say that Victory Field is a wonderful place, and that the town of
Watertown obviously supports, and is committed to its student athletes. And I
agree. But the field goes well beyond just organized athletic competition.
Victory Field's track, basketball courts and tennis courts are havens for community
members like me who want to stay in shape and crave exercise. This field openly
welcomes Watertown to join the fight against obesity by encouraging people to
work out, run, walk and play. The annual Relay for Life, staged at Victory each year,
is a true community -building project that helps us fight cancer. And, the OneBoston
fundraising event, organized by high school students and families, brought people
together at Victory Field to honor Boston Bombing victims and their families. Like
any "sacred" spot in any town, Victory Field is a magnet for people trying to heal
their bodies and their minds.
As a life-long resident of Watertown, I grew up playing and performing on Victory
Field. These memories are deeply ingrained in my mind and heart, and now seeing
my children, years later, competing on that same field is a profoundly emotional
experience. We should all support any proposed improvements for Victory Field
because this facility will continue to be a legacy for all of us in the years to come.
People look at athletic facilities and schools as a device for measuring a town's
commitment to improving the value of the community. And, athletic facilities
showcase how much a town cares about its townspeople and student athletes. By
continuing to improve Victory Field, we are ensuring that "Vic" will be around as a
place of hope and togetherness for all Watertown residents and those who come for
healing, competition and fun, even beyond our town's borders.
Sincerely,
Michael Antonellis
51 Longfellow Road, Watertown