Larry Caprari presented a plaque to Veteran of the Year Joseph Mack. More photos from the parade and the ceremony can be found here.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — With temperatures in the teens Saturday morning, the city of Pittsfield honored veterans of all wars with a parade and ceremony.
At 10 a.m. marchers and vehicles left City Hall and proceeded down North Street, onto South Street, and concluded at the Veterans Memorial on South Street.
"From the jungles of Vietnam to the mountains of Afghanistan from Bastone to Baghdad, from Pork Chop Hill to the Persian Gulf, our veterans have borne the cost of these wars and continue to stand watch over America's peace," keynote speaker Arnie Perras said.
"Today is their day. Today is our day to stand a little bit taller and be recognized by a grateful nation who appreciates what the few have done for the many."
Paris said many Americans don't know the difference between the various military holidays. Memorial Day is for those who died, Independence Day is for the revolution, and Veterans Day is for the some 22 million people who served throughout the nation.
"Around the world veterans have broken the shackles of tyranny, unleashed the chains of bondage, and emancipated entire nations from oppression. Veterans have lifted the cloak of darkness, oppression and desperation and replaced it with an in extinguishable light that is the spirit of freedom and liberty," Perras said.
Paris called on Americans to support the veterans in every way possible. And, he said the crowd numbering near 100 shows that the support is there to do that.
City Council President Peter Marchetti said it isn't enough to just honor veterans on Veterans Day. He said they should be honored each and every day.
"We should not just honor them but remember the sacrifices each of the armed service members gave to us. When duty called, they leave behind their lives and families. The are prepared to do so without question to protect our great country and the freedoms we enjoy," Marchetti said.
Marchetti told the veterans in the audience that there is no better way to put it than "thank you, thank you, thank you."
The Berkshire Veterans Coalition had representatives lay wreaths in honor of each war. The Pittsfield High School band played patriotic music. The Dalton American Legion shot off a volley. Anthony Pastore gave a rousing rendition of the National Anthem.
And Joseph Mack, a Vietnam veteran who is now very active in veterans organizations, was honored as the Veteran of the Year.
Mack served in the Army with the 25th Infantry Division. He was awarded a silver star and a commendation medal. He is a member of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 15, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 448, and the James E. Callahan Berkshire Chapter 65 of the Vietnam Veterans of America. He chairs the poppy campaign, participates in flag burning ceremonies, parades, and sponsors visitations to veterans in nursing homes every Christmas. For 17 years, he has helped maintain and clean the Memorial Park and he drives veterans to and from Albany Airport for Honor Guard flights.
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DALTON, Mass. — Voters approved all but one of the 22 articles on the warrant at the annual town meeting on Monday night at Wahconah Regional High School.
More than one hundred registered voters attended the meeting, which lasted more than three hours, to vote on the budget, school district regional agreement, a proposed bylaw change, and various spending items for town equipment, repairs, projects, and initiatives.
The town budget of $22,951,092 is an increase of $1,449,376, or approximately 6.74 percent, over this year. Of that, the Central Berkshire Regional School District assessment of $10,537,044 and the town operating budget of $10,147,991 are included.
Article 1, which proposed amending the town bylaw to make concrete sidewalks the standard, was tabled after a 20-minute discussion that included questions and concerns about its language. More on sidewalks here.
This has recently been a hot topic, making its way through town government boards and committees will continue with a Planning Board public hearing.
Planning Board member Zack McCain motioned to table the article until a public hearing, where the details could be discussed further. He said this is common practice for bylaw amendments.
During the discussion, voters also urged the need for sidewalks on Orchard Road. The Department of Public Works budget only has $12,000 to cover the cost of maintaining town sidewalks.
The seasonal road closed because of flooding caused by what was initially thought to be from a beaver dam that was located on the Pittsfield stretch.
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The Traffic Commission OK'd additional bus stops and multiple items in the former General Electric neighborhood at its first meeting of the year. click for more
Voters at the annual town meeting on Monday, May 6, will decide 22 articles, including articles on sidewalks and the authorization of a number of spending articles, including an approximate $22 million budget. click for more
Ken Sagendorph, a former firefighter and emergency technician, says his goal is to improve communication between the Fire District, residents, town, and department if elected to the Board of Water Commissioners. click for more