LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — In World War 2, Lt. John Fox was directing the fire as the Americans were under attack from the Germans.

 

He kept changing the directions as to where to fire until he called for heavy firing directly on his location. 

 

"When told this, Fox simple confirmed that he knew what he was doing by saying fire it. Those salvos stopped the Germans in their tracks, gave the Americans a chance to counter-attack and retake the town," said Andrew Gibson, a history teacher at Mount Greylock Regional High School. 

 

Fox's body was found alongside hundreds of German soldiers and weapons, Gibson said. During the Civil War Thomas Plunkett was the color bearer, directing his unit into battle. The bearer led the way and soldier would follow their flag.

 

"A cannon blast took away both of Plunkett's arms and wounded him in the chest but he didn't stop. He pressed that flag tight against his chest and his heart with what remained of his arms to keep the line moving forward with him in the lead until he fainted from loss of blood," Gibson said.

 

Those two stories are just two examples of thousands of similar tales throughout history, Gibson said as he provided the keynote address at the annual Memorial Day parade and ceremony. 

 

The holiday recognizes those who died while serving in the armed forces. Gibson said their sacrifices are protect freedom and the land of opportunity.

 

"Our freedom to live our lives as we conceive them with minimal interference, this is precious because it is so rare," he said.

 

Selectman Robert Ericson reflected on the number of soldiers who perished. He reflected on being a parent, raising a child, and then eventually the child growing up and moving on. For some, though, they join the military and never return. Ericson said life moves on without them but he said the community must always remember their sacrifices.

 

"Today we honor all of these loses and sacrifice of our loved ones," he said.

 

The parade started at the Old Forge at 2 p.m. and traveled down Main Street to the cemetery. The parade features the Vietnam Veterans of America, the Lanesborough American Legion, Lanesborough, and Hancock Fire Departments, Lanesborough Police, the Shriners, youth spot teams,  the Mount Greylock Regional High School band, the Sheriff's Office, Council on Aging, and the Agricultural Council.

 

Donald "Digger" Clairmont was the grand marshal. The 90-year-old Clairmont had been the highway superintendent for 37 years before retiring. He also served as the assistant fire chief and then worked part-time with the Police Department.

 

The ceremony included speeches, the laying of a wreath by Liam Seddon, prayer led by Rev. Noreen Suriner, Taps and the national anthem played by the Mount Greylock Regional High School band, and rifle salute by the Dalton Rifle Team. The master of ceremonies was Robert Reilly.