Volunteers put the pieces of the wall together at War Memorial Field. More photos here.
LENOX, Mass. — With a motorcade that stretched for a mile and dozens of volunteers ready to help with the erection process, the Vietnam Traveling War Memorial arrived at War Memorial Field on Thursday afternoon.
The three-fifths scale replica of the national monument in Washington, D.C., will officially open to the public with an 11 a.m. opening ceremony on Friday morning and will be on view through a 3 p.m. closing ceremony on Sunday.
The traveling exhibit made its last stop in Berkshire County two years ago when it was installed in Dalton.
The black granite monument in the nation's capitol, designed by then 21-year-old Maya Lin, was dedicated on Veterans Day, 1982.
The 493-foot wall on the National Mall is inscribed with the names of 58,318 men and women who died in combat or are listed as missing in action in Vietnam, where the United States was at war from the 1950s through 1975.
Those same names are inscribed on the traveling wall, and the Lenox installation has the added feature of 27 markers recognizing Berkshire County residents who gave their lives in service of their country during the war.
In addition to the 27 placards designed and framed by students at McCann Tech, the local heroes are marked by 27 American flags installed on Thursday by volunteers, who also helped put up the dozens of sections of the wall.
According to the traveling memorial's website, travelingwall.us, its next stop after Lenox will be in Hudson Falls, N.Y., July 24-28.
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Pittsfield Firefighters Knock Down Morningside Blaze
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Fire Department knocked down a two-alarm blaze in the Morningside neighborhood in less than an hour on Friday.
Just before 3 p.m., the department received a report of a fire at 25 Pine St. Deputy Fire Chief Daniel Garner said he arrived at the scene first and saw heavy fire showing from the rear of the more than 100-year-old home.
"We just went to work, pretty much," he explained.
"Because of the heavy volume of fire and the potential for a high number of occupants, I called a double alarm, which called all available Pittsfield firefighters directly to the scene. And I would say the fire was knocked down and under control within an hour."
Eight occupants were evacuating the home when firefighters arrived, and there were no civilian or firefighter injuries. People, including the occupants, stood on the sidewalk and watched the scene unfold.
When iBerkshires arrived, firefighters were on the ladder, extinguishing the top level of the home from the side and rear.
There were five fire engines and one ladder truck. Hinsdale also came to assist, and Lenox and Dalton were called for standby.
Garner believes the building is salvageable and repairable, but recognized that the family won't be able to stay there tonight. An extended family appears to live in the home.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined; the Fire Investigation Division was on site. The Red Cross will provide assistance to the residents of the home.
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