ADAMS, Mass. — As they do every Sunday before Memorial Day, local veterans braved the elements to pay respects on Mount Greylock to fallen comrades.

 

"Past commanders have been coming up here for 93 years. I have been coming up for 64," said Adams American Legion member Donald Sommer. "We have had all kinds of weather, but this is some of the worst. It shows the dedication that we have for those who have gone before us and made the ultimate sacrifice."

 

Heavy winds and sleet met the motorcade at the summit. The Veterans War Memorial Tower — first built to honor World War I veterans — was barely visible and the 30 or so veterans and their families made their way to the memorial arm and arm, fighting the wind. 

 

The ceremony was held inside of the monument with only a rifle squad and taps player briefly stepping outside to conduct their part of the truncated ceremony. 

 

"It is important that we continue these ceremonies, not only for us, but for everyone else," Sommer continued. "So they remember what happened."

 

Veterans met early at the Adams American Legion Post 160 and promptly formed a motorcade to scale the mountain. The oppressive weather forced the Legion Riders off their motorcycles.

 

The group met at the Jones Nose Parking lot about halfway up the mountain to enjoy a traditional cocktail and toast fellow veterans.