NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Dozens of volunteers on Saturday placed more than 1,000 wreaths on the graves of the city's veterans at Southview Cemetery as a memorial to their sacrifices. 

 

"We are here to celebrate the mission, to remember the fallen, to honor those that have served and their families and teach the next generation the value of freedom," said Amy Christian, part of the local Wreaths Across America group. "Americans live in a society made up of many people from many walks of life. The freedoms we enjoy today have not come without a price. Lying here before us in this cemetery and cemeteries throughout the nation, are men and women who gave up their lives so that we can live in freedom and without fear."

 

Saturday's distribution of wreaths included the ceremony at the Veterans Circle at Southview, the laying of ceremonial wreaths for each of the armed forces and in honor of those killed and missing in action, a 21-gun salute by Richard A. Ruether Post 152 American Legion of Williamstown, the Pledge of Allegiance lead by local Boy Scouts and the playing of taps by Drury High students. 

 

The Rev. David Anderson of First Baptist Church offered opening and closing prayers. 

 

"This morning, Lord God, our focus is some very special names. Those who you lift up and celebrate as heroes. We thank you for the men and the women of our United States armed forces that we have come to bring honor to today," said Anderson. "We bring honor to them because they lived lives of integrity, courage, and strength. As they have brought honor to us, may we now bring honor to them."

 

Christian said more than 2,700 ceremonies were being held across the country this year as part of the Wreaths Across America program.

 

"Today, we are showing a united front of gratitude and respect across the United States of America. As we remember the fallen honor those who have served and their families and teaching the next generation the value of freedom," she said. 

 

Mayor Thomas Bernard said this year's ceremony was sentimental and particularly bittersweet because he and his mother placed the wreath on his father's grave. Thomas G. Bernard, a longtime North Adams schoolteacher and Army veteran, died earlier the year. 

 

"I think what we what we heard was that this is something that continues to grow. It's something that matters and it's meaningful," he said. "You see the the boxes of wreaths and it represents not just the people who are being recognized with a wreath, but the generosity of the community, that people who donate them support this effort. ...

 

"It's never abstract, but it hits home in a much different way for me this year. I'm unbelievably appreciative to everybody who makes this happen."

 

Mayor-elect Jennifer Macksey, state Rep. John Barrett III, City Council President Lisa Blackmer and City Councilor Marie T. Harpin also attended the ceremony though none spoke. 

 

"It's really important that we always stop and reflect and remember the veterans," said Macksey. "My dad served in the Korean War. And my cousin Susan [Macksey] is very active in this effort and we are grateful to the volunteers and the community that it builds, and it makes us pause and reflect and be grateful for those who served."

 

The annual event grew out donations of extra wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery by the Worcester Wreath Co. of Maine that ended up involving other businesses, volunteers and veterans organizations over a decade. An image of the rows of graves adorned with wreaths went viral in 2005, prompting interest in replicating the memorials in local cemeteries. 

 

As each wreath with its red bow was placed, the volunteer was asked to name the veteran and thank them. The one known Jewish veteran in the cemetery was to have a rock with a candle painted on it placed on his headstone, a traditional funerary practice. 

 

"My dad was a vet so I want to respect him and honor him and honor everybody else that's taken care of us," said Bonnie Cunningham of Clarksburg, who was helping place wreaths near the circle. "You actually say their name and thank them and, you know, just show them that you are thankful that they did what they did."

 

The North Adams chapter has been active for several years, and has gone through some changes in leadership, but continues to work with the city and veterans groups to adorn the more than 3,000 veterans' graves with wreaths that are sponsored by businesses and individuals. 

 

Organizer Diane Simpson said the group was able to raise enough money to place 1,404 wreaths in Southview Cemetery this year. About 400 wreaths dedicated to particular veterans were placed prior to the ceremony and the balance spread out by section. 

 

It's not as many as the early years of the effort that saw more than 3,000 wreaths placed by some 200 volunteers at Southview, Hill Side, Blackinton and St. Joseph's cemeteries. But its a far cry from last year when the pandemic forced the organizers to switch gears. Only about 130 wreaths were ordered for specific sponsors. 

 

"We did rather well considering the economic times that everybody's facing this year and it's been a labor of love," said Simpson. "It's had its challenges. We are hoping next year to get back to doing full coverage of Southview. ...

 

"We did the best we could with the number of wreaths that we had. And I know there will be people that are disappointed that we couldn't do everybody and to that I say: Help us. Help us by helping us to raise money sponsor wreaths and that way we will ensure that we get full coverage next year."