Parades, Speakers Slated for Veterans Day
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Both Pittsfield and North Adams will hold parades through their downtowns on Nov. 11, followed by remarks at the each city's veterans' memorial.
Veterans Day is marked every Nov. 11, the anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Versailles that ended World War I on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. President Wilson proclaimed the first Armistice Day a year later; after World War II, the day was expanded to recognize veterans of all wars.
Federal, state and local offices will be closed, as will libraries, schools, banks and post offices. Most retail operations will be open; the stock market will also be open. BerkshireRides and the BRTA will not be operating.
In Adams, American Legion Post 160 will hold a ceremony at 11 a.m. at Town Hall. Following the ceremony, the Legion will host a brunch at the post home on Forest Park Avenue.
In North Adams, the parade steps off at 10:30 a.m. from the American Legion, then up Main Street to Eagle Street to the Veterans Memorial.
The main speaker will be Petty Officer 3rd Class Sherman Baldwin III, a boatswain's mate in the Coast Guard; the guest speaker will be American Legion National Executive Chairman James Army.
Also speaking will be Mayor John Barrett III, American Legion Post 125 Cmdr. Dennis St. Pierre as master of ceremonies and American Legion Chaplain Louis Floriani. The Drury High School band will play the "Star-Spangled Banner" and "God Bless America" and Chris Mowe and Roger Simpson will play taps. The firing squad will be provided by Detachment 1, Engineer Company, 26th BSTB, Army National Guard based in Pittsfield. Michael Chalifoux, Vietnam Veterans of America post commander, will place the wreath.
 File photo
Getting in the spirit at last year's Veterans Day in North Adams. |
Parade participants are asked to be at the Legion by 10; coffee and doughnuts will be available for participants at 9:30. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held inside the American Legion.
Also in North Adams, Northern Berkshire Christian Church is offering its second annual Veterans Day dinner. The church at 55 Harding Ave. will host a free meal for all veterans and their families as a way to honor their service to the nation. Servings begin at 5 p.m. More information: 413-663-8998 or www.agnorthadams.com.
In Williamstown, American Legion Post 152 will hold its ceremony at 11 a.m. at the post on Latham Street. There will be a brief service conducted on the lawn, followed by a panel discussion by Legion members with audience participation in the hall.
In Pittsfield, the parade, sponsored by the Here at Home Committee, will begin at 10 a.m. at the corner of North and Fenn streets and will end at the Veterans Memorial off South Street.
Beginning at 9:30 a.m., North Street from Park Square to Fenn Street, Fenn from North to First Street and Allen Street from Fenn to School Street will be closed off. The remainder of the route, North Street, top of West Street, South Street, Veterans Way and Colt Street, will be closed at 10 a.m. There will be no parking on these streets after 8:30 a.m.
The keynote speaker will be retired Air Force Lt. Col. Barry Sebring, the husband of 23 years of Tamala Sebring, a physics teacher at Pittsfield High School. Their children are son Raynor, a sophomore at Pittsfield High, and daughter Shelby, a sixth-grader at Lanesborough Elementary School.
Born in Plattsburg, N.Y., in 1962, Sebring graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 1984 with a bachelor of science degree in aerospace sngineering. He flew B-52s for 22 years until retiring in September 2006.
Also speaking will be Staff Sgt. Rosanne M.Frieri, Mayor James M. Ruberto and master of ceremonies Francis Tremblay. Mary Verdi will sing the national anthem.
The parade lineup also includes Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 65 color guard, VFW color guard, Pittsfield High marching band, sheriff's department color guard, city councilors, Sen. Benjamin B. Downing, Rep. Christopher N. Speranzo, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion Post 68, Marine Corps League, Taconic High marching band, Barnes Air National Guard honor guard, Italian American War Veterans, Jewish War Veterans, Dalton American Legion Post 155, Naval Sea Cadets, Boy Scout Troop 20, Pack 20 Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Pittsfield Fire Department and the Here at Home Committee.
Top, ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery last year.
