The "ultimate sacrifice" is "all about love," the grand marshal of Westborough's 2012 Veterans Day observance said Monday.

For young men and women 17 to 30 "never to have the opportunity to fall in love with a lovely girl or a handsome man is probably one of the greatest sacrifices ever known," United States Marine and Marine Corps reservist Bill Carr said in front of Westborough's World War I, World War II, Korean War and Gulf War memorials at the Forbes Municipal Building.

"And never, also, helping somebody else, by going to a nursing home, or rubbing a shoulder of a person who is sick, to cheer them up. To be able to do that, probably those two things, would be the ultimate sacrifice."

Carr said a classmate at Worcester State University had asked him about the "ultimate sacrifice."

Afterward, Carr, 84, said he earned a master's degree in military history from the university a few months ago.

"It's wonderful to be here," Carr said.

"I still go to the gym. I'm legally blind, but I have an optical reader."

Carr was among two grand marshals chosen for Monday's program.

However, World War II veteran James Zographos recently became ill with pneumonia and was unable to attend, Veterans Agent/Director of Veterans Services George Perry III said.

Perry said he hopes Zographos “gets a lot healthier fast."

State Rep. Matthew Beaton (R-Shrewsbury) presented Carr a citation from the state House of Representatives. Beaton said Selectman Denny Drewry will pass along another citation to Zographos.

Carr said serving as Monday's grand marshal was an honor.

"(When) I think about it, I really represent some of my friends who didn't make it," Carr said.

"It's representing the ones who couldn't be here."

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