Retired Navy Petty Officer Cindy Lacoste speaks at Sunday's Memorial Day observance.
ADAMS, Mass. — North County American Legion members made their way to the summit of Mount Greylock early on Sunday morning for their 89th pilgrimage to the state's War Memorial.
Speaker Cindy Lacoste, a retired petty officer with 22 years serving in the Navy and current member of the Department of Massachusetts Executive Committee of Women of the American Legion, spoke and recalled memories of fallen veterans.
"Memorial Day brings up so many memories to me, and I'm sure it does to you," she said. "But in 2003, I was deployed to the Middle East not knowing if I was going to make it back home. So the fact that I did, obviously, I'm forever grateful, and I want to make sure that I never forget the stories of those that didn't come back."
She recalled the story of a young soldier, Cindy Bowden, who was a freshman attending the University of Connecticut during the Gulf War.
She was enlisted in the National Guard and could have stayed home because of a back condition. But the daughter of a Vietnam veteran heeded the call.
It was soon after President Bush announced the ceasefire in Iraq in 1991 that Bowden was killed when her convoy struck a landmine.
"We can ensure that these memories of these heroes and their sacrifices are never in vain. We can ensure that future generations understand the importance of service, sacrifice, and honor. We can ensure that through our own community service that our country remains strong, free and prosperous," Lacoste said. "Today, we are the living. We are dedicated to continuing in the work of those who have gone before us. We are dedicated to preserving the memory of our fallen heroes and declare our unending gratitude and support for their families."
After the short ceremony, participants went into the memorial tower to lay a wreath. After that, they enjoyed breakfast at Bascom Lodge.
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Letter: That's Who We Are, Adams
Letter to the Editor
To the Editor:
That's Who We Are
I wanted to say something about Sept. 12, 2026. The day we celebrated the with the Alerts 150th anniversary parade.
I want us to recognize that our community is built on, and sustained by, an amazing force: volunteer organizations and the people who give their time, energy and passion to make Adams a better place.
Our community is not defined by naysayers, keyboard warriors, problem creators, or those who seem intent on finding fault with every effort. It is defined by people who step up, get involved, solve problems, learn from our mistakes, add value where they can, and lift each other up when times are difficult.
We live in what I like to call "our little piece of heaven." And Sept. 12 was a wonderful reminder of who we really are.
Our community is built on amazing volunteers and first responders, as was so clearly demonstrated by the celebration of the Adams Fire Department's 150th Anniversary. It was a glorious parade, planned and executed flawlessly, and made even more special by the participation of more than 30 fire departments and first responder organizations from throughout the area. Thank you, Mike Therrien and your entire team, for giving all of us the opportunity to celebrate with you. That's who we are.
Our community is built on newcomers like Yina Moore, who came to town with a vision and is executing it beautifully. She continues to curate amazing performances. The Adams Theater surpassed its $100,000 fundraising goal this year. That kind of accomplishment doesn't happen by accident. It happens because people believe in Adams and are willing to work for it. That's who we are.
Our community is built on supporting the incredible work at the Greylock Glen Outdoor Center; an amazing facility that grew from a concept championed by our Community Development Director Donna Cesan, and made possible in part through extraordinary state support led by Representative Barrett, who believed in the project and believed in us. That's who we are.
Our community is built on four people sitting on a porch one day and deciding that they didn't want Adams to be defined by negative stories. They decided that creating a group called Pro Adams could be part of changing that narrative. Fifteen years later, they are still going strong. This year, they are continuing to innovate with projects to help promote economic growth, like Bears on Parade. Thank you, Pro Adams, for keeping that dream alive. That's who we are.
Our community is built on another conversation between two women who believed our town needed an uplift. There are no words to adequately express our gratitude to Mary Parker, Deb Nowicki, and the entire team that has made such a difference in such a short time. Our Adams Beautification team did just that! It's beautiful. That's who we are.
Our community is built on dedication to preserving the history of Adams. Through newsletters, reenactments, church tours, the Quaker Meeting House and the continued preservation of artifacts and stories, the Adams Historical Society remains an important part of our community and our identity. That's who we are.
Our community is built on organizations like Berkshire Harm Reduction and Berkshire Health Systems that work to address the needs of all our residents. You may have noticed the new naloxone boxes appearing in locations throughout town. That is what a community does; it recognizes a need and works together to address it. Thank you to BRPC, Berkshire Harm Reduction, Adams Police Department, and the HEAL Community for being part of that effort. That's who we are.
Our community is built on the steadfastness and hard work of the team that calls itself the Adams Street Fair. We all know that it is about much more than the Street Fair itself. When the Adams Events Committee disbanded after more than 40 years, this group stepped up and took on the movies and concerts. They didn't simply continue them; they expanded them. No complaints. No excuses. Just hard work, coordination and commitment to the community. That's who we are.
Our community is built on the hard work and passion of the Thunderbolt Ski Runners, who for years have maintained and groomed mountain bike trails on our side of majestic Mount Greylock. They continue to put in the work and create events that give all of us opportunities to enjoy this incredible place we call home. That's who we are.
I am leaving out so many others that this letter could go on forever; the Adams Lions Club, the American Legion, Friends of the COA, Friends of the Library, our churches, our civic organizations, our businesses, and countless individuals who quietly volunteer their time without ever asking for recognition.
Dozens of fire trucks escorted by marching firefighters made their way around downtown Adams on Saturday to the sounds of drums, fifes and the skirl of the bagpipes. click for more
Adams Town Administrator Nicholas Caccamo recently announced that the town missed out on a $4 million U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Brownfields and Land Revitalization grant. click for more
BRPC was awarded an additional $64,700 that will allow them to gather information about transportation needs in northern Berkshire County. click for more
Matthew Wright, formerly a sergeant in the Adams Police Department, officially took his post on Tuesday, Sept. 8, and said he is excited to hit the ground running. click for more
