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Memorial Day Marked in North Berkshire, Pittsfield
Staff Reports, iBerkshires Staff
04:52PM / Monday, May 30, 2016
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North Adams held a parade and observances at the Veterans Memorial on Eagle Street. See more photos from the event here.


Lanesborough held its services on Sunday; find the story here and more photos here.

Korean War veteran Robert Richards makes it a point to attend Memorial Day services.

He was at the Veterans Memorial in North Adams on Monday morning to remember his fellow soldiers who did not make it home.

"A lot of guys I took basic training with got killed in Korea. I was lucky. I signed up for the heavy weapons and ... they put me in Japan for three months so I missed that," Richards said. "On the way back, I ran across one of the guys I took basic with and he said most of the guys I took basic with got killed over there. That's why I am here. To remember for them."

World War II veteran Eugene "Red" Arrighini said he rarely misses a Memorial Day ceremony. He said people always need to remember the sacrifices made for this country.

"I don't think anyone should ever forget what everyone went through," Arrigoni said "A 14-year-old kid stopped me a while back … and he wanted to know what war I was in. I said World War II. He asked 'when was that?' It escapes people. Like everything else, when things are going good people forget everything and when someone gets hurt they start to remember."

The observances in the city followed the trek down Main and Eagle streets, to music of the Drury High School marching band. Keynote speaker Rachel Branch, a city native and former secretary to the chief of information at Wheelus Air Base, Tripoli, Libya, asked those in attendance to remember those lost in war.

"We mourn Peter W. Foote who died in Vietnam in 1968, and Michael DeMarsico II who died in Afghanistan in 2012," Branch said. "All those remembered and honored with hallowed gold stars on our honor roll behind me, who proudly heeded the call of duty, honor and commitment to the United States."

Branch said through remembrance we can reflect on our freedoms and focus on peace.


"Through the tears of remembrance today, may we walk in the light of the freedoms they have so nobly preserved for us," she said. "We can never break faith. Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with you and me."

Mayor Richard Alcombright said he recently took a ride up to Drury, from which he could better see the many flags marking veterans at Southview Cemetery below.

"I thought how lucky I am and how lucky are we that we are so protected. We know that so many around the word live in fear live in war and live without freedom," he said. "War is a horrible and ugly thing but the hundreds of thousands who have died serving over hundreds of years are the most honorable people this country has ever known."

Past Comdr. Dennis St. Pierre of American Legion Post 125 awarded Joseph Cariddi a certificate to commemorate his 71 years as a member of the American Legion. St. Pierre said during this time he has only missed two ceremonies.

Drury High School student Abby Kate Caproni gave the Gettysburg Address and was awarded the George Angeli Award.


Williamstown held ceremonies at Field Park. See more photos here.

In Williamstown, Richard A. Ruether American Legion Post 152 not only remembered fallen comrades but also recognized those who follow in their footsteps.

The families of departed veterans David E. Fenton, Gary Edgar Field, Shirley E. Gardner, Jeremy L. Dupell, Richard L. DeMayo and Stanley W. Bubriski were honored for their loved ones' service in war and peace on battlefields ranging from World War II to Vietnam.

The local American Legion also honored a tradition that dates back to World War I, awarding a Blue Star Banner. This year it went to the family of Mitchell Malloy, who is serving in the Navy on the USS Ronald Reagan in the Western Pacific.

Mitchell's dad Roger and his granddaughter — Mitchell's niece — Sophia accepted the banner on behalf of the family.

Roger Mitchell said Mitchell has been deployed for a year.

"I just heard from him this week," Roger said. "They're taking off for a fast cruise this week, and then they're going to South Korea in two weeks for the rest of the summer, the Phillipines, right around there."

Roger said  Mitchell, soon to be promoted from seaman apprentice to seaman, thought about going to work in the family business after graduation from McCann Technical School, but was inspired to serve his country.

"Believe it or not … we went to watch the movie 'American Sniper,' and he was sitting there one day and said, 'You know what, Dad,' I said, 'You're not sniper material,' " Roger Malloy recalled. "He said, 'I know that, but I think it's something I'd like to do.'

"We went down and talked to a recruiter. … And he's happy to be serving."

The Blue Star service banner is traditionally displayed in the window of the homes of families with members serving in the armed forces.

"As Americans provide their support to our troops during the current armed conflicts, the Blue Star Service Banner tradition reminds us all that war touches every neighborhood in our land," Adam Filson told the crowd gathered at Field Park.

That crowd listened to Filson read verses from Theodore O'Hara's poem, "Bivouac of the Dead," witnessed a flag-folding


 

ceremony executed by members of Post 152, watched the post's Ladies Auxiliary lay wreaths at the war memorial and heard patriotic songs performed by Kathleen Toohey Carbone and Mount Greylock Regional School student Jaden King.

Post Comdr. Ron James set the tone for the day, a sacred and solemn celebration of fallen heroes.

"This is a sacred day, and this is our most visible presence to those who have gone before us," James said. "We honor the memory of those who gave their lives in sacrifice for our country and those who have dropped their burdens by the wayside of life and have gone to their eternal rest. May the ceremonies of today deepen the reverence for our departed friends and comrades.

"Let us renew our pledge of loyalty to our country and its flag. Let us resolve by word and deed to emphasize the duty and privilege of patriotism."
 


Pittsfield photos can be found here.

The sound of a bugle was the "soundtrack" of Pittsfield Mayor Linda Tyer's childhood. Her father was in the Air Force and she grew in Air Force bases around the country. Every morning and every night, the bugle sounds halted everything as the entire base honored the flag being raised or retired.

"During revelry and retreat, military personnel stand at attention, facing the American flag and salute until the last note is played. Civilians, even young girls playing softball or little boys getting off the school bus must stop, stand at attention and place their hands over their hearts. These bugle calls became the soundtrack of my life and when I hear them played today, I am overwhelmed by the sacrifice, honor and courage of so many of our veterans and their families," Tyer said.

"Yet, of all the military bugle calls none is more easily recognized or more likely to invoke emotion than the call to taps. Taps is played at funerals, wreath laying and memorials. The melody is eloquent and haunting."

After giving the keynote speech, honoring both the history of the day and reminding the hundred or so residents the importance of taps, Tyer headed to Lenox, where her father was delivering an address there.

"I was the lucky kid whose dad came home every night and kept me safe from many of life's challenges. That is not the story of so many American boys and girls, wives and husbands, moms and dads, brothers and sisters. For them, grief and pride are in their hearts today," she said.

For those families who weren't so lucky, Tyer honored all of those who made the sacrifice for the country in the numerous wars over the years.

"We lack the words to describe how your heart breaks on Memorial Day and every day that you remember your loved ones. We can never fully know it but we do know what your sacrifice means to us, to our country, and to a dangerous world that still depends so much on the greatest fighting force for world security," Tyer said.

Pittsfield's ceremony was held inside the gymnasium at Morningside Elementary School after the parade was canceled because of the threat of rain.

"I would like to thank all of the great participants, those who got ready today until we canceled this morning. But they still did everything they need to do to get ready. That includes Pittsfield High School and Taconic High School bands, our local politicians, veterans organizations, Sheriff Thomas Bowler, the Pittsfield Police Department," Veterans Service Agent James Clark said of the cancellation.

"We invited this year elementary school children and at last count we had 100, 150 who were going to march in the parade today. I think it is really important for our young citizens to be shown what respect is and what Memorial Day is all about and that was our goal in having them participate," Clark said.

Inside the gym, John Harding served as the master of ceremonies; colors were posted; the national anthem was sung by Anthony Pastore; the Rev. James Lumsden gave the invocation; Mike Anacora read Gen. John A. Logan's Memorial Day order; Martha Green sang "American the Beautiful"; taps were played, and Rabbi David Weiner provided the benefiction.

Representatives from the various veterans organizations gathered circled around an urn and when names of departed veterans from their organizations were read by the Rev. Peter Gregory, poppies were tossed in.

Despite the parade cancellation, many residents found their way to the ceremony, a sight that  Harding said "makes me feel good," as he thanked all of the veterans groups and residents who still took the time to honor those veterans who were killed in battle.
 


See photos from the Adams event here.

In Adams, the parade traveled its usual route around the downtown, marching up Park Street to Maple Street Cemetery. A caravan of local veterans and dignitories was joined the Adams Police Department, the Adams Alerts and their parade wagon, the Hoosac Valley High School marching band, Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts, and followed by a cavalcade of children with patriotically decked out bicycles.

The ceremonies at the cemetery included renditions by the band, the Berkshire Highlanders and the Rev. Matthew Guidi of St. Mary of the Assumption in Cheshire gave the benediction. The master of ceremonies was Paul Hutchinson, who recognized local veterans Joseph Roulier and Clement St. Hilaire and VFW Auxiliary representatives Laurie Zepka and Theresa Marby.

Tom Brown and his grandchildren, Hannah and Adrian Koczela, sang patriotic and Civil War era songs. Hoosac eighth-grader Shaleigh Levesque read the World War I poem "In Flanders Fields" and junior Kaylea Nocher gave the Gettysburg Address.

Selectman Joseph Nowak gave the main address, reminding the crowd that many of the nation's military members were lost to disease and difficult conditions. There were more than 620,000 casualties in the Civil War, the nation's deadliest conflict. But of those, five men died of disease for every three in combat.

"I think its important for us to realize no matter how strong and brave our troops stand, they cannot always withstand the onslaught of sickness and disease," Nowak said. "They are as much an enemy to our fighting forces as those we waged war against."

Each war brought different conditions and new diseases, from the freezing weather and primitive conditions endured during the Revolution, to the heat and dysentary of the Civil War, to the trenches and the gas of World War I.

"As we look across the cemeteries, we see the flags placed on the graves of those honorable men and women who fought in wars so that we could be a free and sovereign nation," Nowak said. "Soldiers are four-season patriots who during wartime, regardless of weather conditions, unforeseen circumstances and unique situations, must stand together as one."
 


Cheshire photos can be found here.

After marching through town following an convoy of children on bikes, Cheshire residents marched up to the town cemetery to conduct its Memorial Day ceremony.

Selectmen Chairman Paul Astorino thanked all those who attended the ceremony and asked them to reflect on the sacrifice many soldiers have made.

"Honoring their sacrifice not only reminds us of the cost of war but perhaps more importantly the price we must pay for peace and that freedom is not an entitlement," he said. "It comes with a burden and a price. Today we reflect on the lives soldiers gave that gives us the freedom we cherish."

Cheshire fifth-graders also read written essays at the service.

Lillian Meehan said we should always remember what soldiers have sacrificed for the country.

"Memorial Day is a very important day because it is a day to remember all fallen soldiers," she said. "Also, we should remember how soldiers risked their lives for us, and we should all appreciate what soldiers have done for us."

Mia Francesconi said all servicemen and -women have accomplished their goal of securing freedom in America.

"The soldiers who fought in the wars were brave and courageous. Those soldiers wanted us to be free and they believed that our lives were more important than their own," she said. "They wanted us to remember them as the ones who made our country a free country. They have achieved their goal."

Ian Cappiello thanked all the miliary members for keeping America safe.

"Soldiers fight for the flag, and they fight for the 50 stars and the people within them," he said. "Every person that has fought is extremely courageous, and I want to thank everyone who has fought in the military. You are the reason this country is standing."

Zachary Gaylord read the Gettysburg Address.


More photos from Clarksburg can be found here.

Earlier in the morning, Clarksburg Town Administrator Carl McKinney called on the crowd gathered at Town Hall on River Road to pay homage to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, "a debt that can never be paid in full."

"Let us not forget those who carry on the struggle throughout the world ... let their actions be an inspiration to this troubled world."

The gathering included members of Peter A. Cook Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9144, the Clarksburg School band that played several selections; and the Clarksburg Volunteer Fire Department. Clarksburg eighth-graders  Julia Jammalo, Holly Boudreau and Madison Goodell gave the Gettysburg Address and Laurie Boudreau and Lynette Farnsworth sang.

The bell was rung as the name of each of Clarksburg's fallen was called.

Former Rep. Daniel Bosley, speaking in Clarksburg earlier in the morning, said the word "hero" gets thrown around too easily.

"The young men and women who have given this ultimate sacrifice — the people we honor each year on this day — are the true heroes of our society," he said.

More than 200 Massachusetts men and women have lost their lives war or while on active duty since the Sept. 11 terror attacks, Bosley said.

He remembered his uncles who fought in World War II, his father in Korea, and his many appearances at Memorial Day ceremonies over the years, including reading the Gettysburg Address as an eighth-grader in his hometown of Florida.

"It's never easy, sometimes the country is united in our efforts and sometimes it's been divided over our actions," he said, noting how "close" war can be today with almost instant news and social media. "What has been the constant in all of that is the service and sacrifice of young men and women who have given their lives for their county and by extension, to each one of us."

Staff writers Andrew McKeever, Jack Guerino, Stephen Dravis and Tammy Daniels contributed to this report.

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