Lanesborough Celebrates Memorial Day Despite Rain, Wind
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A wreath was laid to remember those who served. More photos can be found here. |
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Wind and rain couldn't keep dozens of residents away from honoring the nation's fallen soldiers Sunday.
The Memorial Day parade, featuring youth groups, town officials, veterans, Fire, EMS and Police stepped off at 2 p.m. Sunday.
The groups marched down to the cemetery where state Rep. Gailanne Cariddi gave the keynote address.
Cariddi said the nation will "always remember" those who gave the "ultimate sacrifice" to preserve our society.
"Your lost is our lost. Their lost is our lost and this will always be remembered," Cariddi said.
In all wars, families and communities have suffered the lose of a loved one including in just the last year when North Adams lost Pfc. Michael DeMarsico and Dalton lost Spec. Mitchell Daehling, she said.
"When young men and women decide to be soldiers, they know they may be sent into harms way. They know they may be injured; that they may even lose their life. It is very brave of those soldiers to do this duty for their country," Cariddi said. "They join the armed forces to preserve out America as we know it and to protect us so that the unspeakable horrors of the battlefield do not spread here."
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 446 Cmdr. George Himmel asked residents to look at the graves of all of the veterans from war buried there in remembrance. Lanesborough has lost veterans of every war and eventually, there will be the graves of those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"Each of them did something selfless so our society could continue in peace," Himmel said.
Lanesborough's "most decorated" veteran, Gregory Noonan, was also honored by town officials with the dedication of the newly reconstructed Minor Road bridge. Noonan was awarded three Combat Infantryman Badges, three Air Medals, two Purple Hearts, and a Vietnam Service Medal and three Bronze Stars for heroism.
According to Selectman William Prendergast, who told the residents about the plaque recently installed on the bridge, Noonan died after returning from war.
"We're honoring one of Lanesborough's most decorated veterans," Prendergast said. "I encourage everyone to take a drive down there [to the bridge]."
Also at the cemetery, the Lanesborough Elementary School band played two songs; the Mount Greylock Regional High School Band played the National Anthem; Himmel and Josie Dechaine laid a wreath honoring veterans; Arianna Bashara sand the Battle Hymn of the Republic; the Dalton Rifle Team performed a rifle salute; Rev. Davis Raymond gave the opening prayer and benediction; and Lyndon Moors performed Taps.
The parade's grand marshals, William and Mary Mosley, were unable to attend because of health reasons and Prendergast asked residents to "pray" for William, who was recently hospitalized.
