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Celebrating

Moe Coderre , center, celebrates following his performance at Fenway Park with brothers, Ron, left, and Marc. Courtesy photo.

 

 

 

By Ron P. Coderre

On Sunday, June 19, Father’s Day, longtime Putnam resident Maurice “Moe” Coderre enjoyed the honor of singing the National Anthem at Fenway Park prior to the start of the Red Sox and Seattle Mariners game.  In front of a sellout crowd of more than 35,000, Coderre belted out our nation’s anthem perfectly to the delight and approval of the huge throng.

I along with my wife, Donna and brother Marc and his wife Robin were seated in Pavilion Box 10 overlooking third base.  Looking down behind home plate at about 1 p.m., approximately 35 minutes prior to the first pitch, Moe was spotted along with other pregame participants being shepherded out by Red Sox front office personnel.  In the Pavilion Box I was more anxious than my brother as he chatted with the others in the pregame party directly behind home plate.

As game time approached, and it seemed to take forever, the butter flies in my stomach weren’t flying in formation.  Looking down repeatedly to the field, then at my watch, I thought the moment would never arrive.  As proud as I was I never told other fans in the Box that my brother was going to perform the National Anthem.

As it turned out, Moe hit every note and his voice resonated clearly throughout the fabled ballpark that dates back to 1912.  At the moment he concluded the anthem, I turned to everyone within hearing distance and proudly announced, “That’s my brother who just sang the National Anthem.”

My brother and I have been very close since early childhood.  As kids we played Little League together.  Although I was three years older, Moe was an instant sensation in Little League, leading the Yankees to five consecutive championships.  Every season we’d play simulated baseball, football or basketball games emulating the stars of Boston teams in those days.  We’d be outside throwing the baseball, football or shooting the basketball until our mother called us in for dinner.

As a senior in high school, one of my biggest thrills was playing on the same Putnam High School baseball team as my brother, Moe, who was a freshman varsity player.

I joined the U.S. Air Force following high school graduation but we remained in touch by mail even though I was thousands of miles away.  Photos and newspaper clippings of his high school athletic exploits are still safely tucked away in my military scrap books.

We stood side-by-side in New Haven when he was sworn into the Air Force in 1962.  The photo is one of my proudest, me in my uniform and Moe with his right hand up pledging allegiance to our country.

Later, we’d play on softball teams together and join with our wives and children for family landmark events.  Today we remain closer than we’ve ever been, enjoying meaningful events in life together.     

My younger, brother, Moe, the kids who tagged along with me for more than 60 years in many ways always making me proud.

At Fenway Park, on Father’s Day 2016, it was a special occasion for me and Moe.  Once again he surpassed all expectations with his performance.  He’s a humble guy, a great husband, father and grandfather and a person who I’m proud to say, “He’s my brother.”