Edgartown town administrator James Hagerty traded his business suit for military fatigues Saturday to commemorate his promotion from major to lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves.

Friends, family and Edgartown town staff gathered in an intimate ceremony at Edgartown town hall to celebrate the milestone, the culmination of 17 years of service. The ceremony was followed by a party at The Wharf Pub.

Mr. Hagerty has served as town administrator since 2018 and is a lifelong Vineyarder, attending the Edgartown School and the regional high school before going to Northeastern University. He joined the Marines right out of college, serving two tours in Iraq before eventually settling back down on the Island with his wife Alessandra in 2013.

Mr. Hagerty, normally an unflappable presence in town government, admitted to being a little overwhelmed by the support.

“I’m both honored and embarrassed,” Mr. Hagerty said. “It was a great turnout by the community. I really appreciate it.”

Edgartown selectman Arthur Smadbeck returned the sentiment.

“For us, this is a really big thing,” he said. The pride I feel for James, for Edgartown, for his family, for all of us...it’s thrilling.”

The ceremony was presided by Lt. Colonel Joshua Bradstreet, who traveled from Maynard to grant Mr. Hagerty his new title. Mr. Bradstreet also granted Mr. Hagerty a gold star for his service in the first battalion, commending his “visionary foresight,” “seasoned leadership” and “exceptional operational readiness.”

Mr. Hagerty chose his wife to fasten both insignias to his camouflage lapels, thanking her for her support through all his years of tours and training.

“She keeps me straight,” he said. “And if I’m not, she puts me back on track right away.”

Mrs. Hagerty, who is the marketing manager at the Vineyard Gazette Media Group, said she was exceptionally proud of her husband and how he had grown from the 21-year-old who first joined the Marines.

“Not everyone makes it to this point,” she said. “And to see that support from the town, it’s a really nice thing.”

She said she was especially glad that their two children, Julianna and William, could see their dad being celebrated by the community.

“It means the most to him,” Mrs. Hagerty said, pointing to her son, William. “When you ask him what he wants to be when he grows up, he says ‘A Marine and a town administrator.’”