Clarksburg World War II Casualty Returns Home for Burial

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Marine Pvt. Erwin King
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Marine Pvt. First Class Erwin S. King returns home on Friday, more than eight decades after he marched to war.
 
King, who grew up on West Road, was killed in action during the Battle of Guadalcanal in World War II. He remains had been buried temporarily with nine of his comrades on the island. There were several unsuccessful attempt to recover the bodies and it was not until 2018 that King's gravesite was uncovered. 
 
His family was notified in May that his remains had finally been identified.
 
The 18-year-old had enlisted only six weeks after Pearl Harbor and never returned home. On Friday, his body will be escorted by veterans organizations and police from Bradley International Airport in Connecticut to Clarksburg Town Hall, where a wreath-laying will be observed at approximately 3 p.m. 
 
The procession will then proceed to Flynn & Dagnoli Funeral Home on West Main Street, passing Veterans Memorial Park at Center and Eagle Street. Those wishing to pay respects should be there between 3 and 3:15 p.m. 
 
The wake will be held at Flynn & Dagnoli's West Chapels on Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. 
 
King will be buried next to his parents, Erwin C. and Emelia LaFountain King, in Southview Cemetery on Tuesday, 82 years to the day he was killed.
 
A group including King's family members will be at the airport when he arrives from Hawai'i around 1 p.m. The wake on Monday will be open to the public and a funeral service will be held Tuesday beginning at 11 a.m. at the funeral home.  
 
A graveside service will include full military honors beginning at noon at the cemetery. 
 
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

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