An image of the 353rd Infantry in France taken two minutes before the armistice ending World War I went into effect.
Veterans Day falls on Wednesday, Nov. 11, and will be observed as a state and federal holiday.
The federal holiday commemorates the service of the nation's military veterans in ensuring peace.
It was first known as Armistice Day to mark the end of World War I at the 11th hour, on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. In recognition of the efforts of World War II veterans, President Eisenhower signed legislation in 1954 creating Veterans Day to honor all American veterans.
The Veterans Day National Committee chooses a commemorative poster each year from submitted artwork that can be downloaded or printed out.
Closed on Wednesday, Nov. 11:
Some federal and local offices
Some public schools
BRTA buses routes are not running, and offices closed; service resumes on Thursday, Nov. 12.
Public libraries
Berkshire Food Project
Open:
Most retail outlets, groceries
Restaurants and bars, by choice
Convenience stores
Veterans Day Parades, Ceremonies and Other Celebrations
Pittsfield: The annual Veterans Day ceremony will begin with a parade that steps off from Allen Street on Wednesday, Nov. 11, and concludes at Veterans Memorial Park on South Street.
Lineup will take place 9:30-9:45 a.m. on Fenn, Pearl and Allen streets, departing from City Hall at 10 a.m.
Master of Ceremonies will be Mark Pompi, director of veterans services for Pittsfield and the Central Berkshire Veterans District. The officer of the day is Vietnam veteran Henry "Hank" Morris. The event will also recognize the Berkshire Veterans Coalition Veteran of the Year: Vietnam veteran, Mrs. F. Martha Green. The Pittsfield High School Band under the direction of Ashley Paradis, will provide the musical portion of the program.
Pittsfield Community Television will televise the parade and ceremony on CityLink 1303, PCTV Select available at pittsfieldtv.org and its Facebook page.
Lanesborough: Jake's Java offers a free coffee to veterans from 7 to 11 a.m. and will have a popup at the Pittsfield Veterans Memorial Park following the parade.
Lenox: Morris Elementary students will line West Street on Tuesday, Nov. 10, for a wave parade as veterans and service members drive by. Those wishing to participate should lineup at 45 West, the Boston University Tanglewood Institute, beginning at 9:20 a.m.
North Adams: The Veterans Day parade steps off from American Legion Post 125 on American Legion Drive at 10:40 a.m. and marches to the Veterans Memorial on Eagle Street. Mayor Jennifer Macksey will give greetings; Mitchel Keil, American Legion Post 125 adjutant, is master of ceremonies, and the Rev. David Anderson of First Baptist Church will give the opening prayer. In case of rain, ceremonies will be held at the Legion.
Participants are asked to arrive at the Legion by 10 a.m.; doughnuts and coffee will be available beginning at 9:30. All veterans and veterans groups are welcome to march.
Williamstown: Michael Kennedy American Legion Post 152 holds its annual Veterans Day service at 11 a.m. at Field Park on Wednesday.
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North Adams Man Sentenced to Prison for Rape
Staff Reports
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — On Monday, Nov. 9, Joseph Pini, 49 years old, formerly of North Adams, was sentenced to nine to 12 years in state prison after being found guilty of two counts of rape and one count of furnishing alcohol to a minor.
On Friday, Nov. 6, a jury found Pini guilty of all three charges after deliberating for four hours.
Judge Michael Callan sentenced Pini to nine to 12 years in prison for the two counts of rape and six months in the House of Corrections for furnishing alcohol to a minor, to be served concurrently.
The commonwealth requested a sentence of 12 to 15 years in prison for the combined rape charges with a year in the House of Corrections, a maximum sentence on the alcohol charge, to be served concurrently. Defense requested a "very lengthy" probationary period.
According to the District Attorney's Office, Pini brought a then-16-year-old girl to his home on Fairgrounds Avenue in November 2022. He proceeded to provide the teen with alcohol and then raped her twice.
District Attorney Timothy Shugrue thanked the jury for their services.
"I commend the North Adams Police Department and the Child Abuse Unit in my office for their thorough and dedicated work in bringing this case to a successful conclusion," he said. "My thoughts remain with the survivor, whose life has been forever impacted by this horrific assault. While no verdict can undo the harm she endured, I hope that the guilty verdict and sentencing bring a measure of closure and allow her the opportunity to move forward."
The City Council on Tuesday accepted a fiscal 2025 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant in the amount of $14,231 for the construction of an evidence room.
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Drury High School students don't have to ask "where's the beef" from, now that the school has partnered to bring local meat into its food service system. click for more
Senior Patrick Holland Saturday finished in fourth place to lead the Mount Greylock boys cross country team to a Western Massachusetts Class B Championship at Stanley Park. click for more
