ADAMS, Mass. — Memorial Day was initially to remember the lives lost in the Civil War, eventually coming to honor all those servicemen and women who sacrificed for their country over more than 250 years.

Sgt. First Class Brian Bergeron, keynote speaker at Adams' observances in the Visitors Center, invoked the county's 21st century losses on Monday: Army Sgt. 1st Class Daniel H. Petithory of Cheshire; Army Sgt. Glenn R. Allison of Pittsfield; Army Chief Warrant Officer Stephen M. Wells of North Egremont; Army Spc. Michael R. DeMarsico II of North Adams; Army Spc. Mitchell K. Daehling of Dalton, and Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob Galliher of Pittsfield.

 

"We carry the memory of the Berkshire County residents who gave their lives in Vietnam. Young men like Specialist Kevin Hallam and Lance Corporal David Bory Fitzfield, and so many others from Dalton, Adams, Great Berrington, Lee, and towns across our hills, their names are etched on our local memorials, on our memorial skating rink, and on our hearts," he said. 

 

 

"Those warriors gave everything for the country they loved, for the Constitution they swore to uphold, and for the people of the United States, who bask in the freedom provided them by these brave soldiers. Think of the young soldiers who left a small town much like ours, never to return," he said.

 

"So let us leave here today with more than words. Let us commit to live lives worthy of their sacrifice, to cherish the freedoms they defend, to teach our children a true cost of living, and to ensure that their stories are told, their names are spoken, their legacy endurance."

 

 

"As a nation, we must remind ourselves of the future they fought for and do our best to live up to those values," said Lora to the assembly. "We honor our fallen by committing ourselves to ensure that America needs a country worthy of their sacrifice. Thank you for taking this time to reflect on their legacy and express the gratitude of the nation for their service."

 

Pittsfield's shortened parade marched to Pittsfield Cemetery through intermittent raindrops and for ceremonies. 

 

Will Bateson, the city's new director of veteran services, addressed around 100 people with raincoats and umbrellas. While giving the benediction, retired Air Force Master Sgt. Rob Ecc noted that "here again we stand as another conflict or war is happening." 

 

"Where 13 members of our family have already died, where 380 are already wounded, and we're adding to the list. The sailors on the ships near Iran, the Marines that are sitting on the vessel Tripoli, the airmen on the various bases in the Middle East, and those Army paratroopers that are at the ready," he said. 

 

"We can only imagine that today we honor the dead, but we may also be honoring the living, for God forbid we could be adding them to our list the next time we gather." 

 

The U.S. attacked Iran in February, sparking a monthslong war. There was absolute silence as Ecc said, "This is real, folks."

 

"We sit here in peace, like we are brothers and sisters, who put that uniform on, who may for the first time be getting a sense of the battle," he said, later praying that a protective bubble wrapped them. "They don't determine when they go to war. That's someone else's business, but it's their job to be ready when war calls upon them."

 

Bateson, a former Marine, was the master of ceremonies and keynote speaker. He began work in mid-February, taking over for retired Army Lt. Col. Jim Clark: "Big shoes to fill." 

 

Five years ago yesterday, he lost a fellow Marine friend to "a battle no one knew he was fighting," and still wears a bracelet to honor him. 

 

"Perhaps just as tragic, I am confident that this story is not so unfamiliar from those known by many others here today and within our community," Bateson said, highlighting the importance of the community honoring all of those who have served and are no longer with us. 

 

He asked attendees to consider what these men and women fought for, and said he sometimes cringes when he sees social media posts shaming people for having barbecues on this day. 

 

"I see nothing wrong with those activities to honor this day. In fact, I encourage it," Bateson said. "Why? Because, in my humble opinion, that is one of the many reasons that these men and women we honor today serve, so that we may be free to enjoy our lives, our families, and our community." 

 

Mayor Peter Marchetti participated in the placing of thousands of American flags on veterans' graves, and since 2024, has placed a flag on his father's grave to recognize his service as an Army veteran. This is a special time of reflection for him. 

 

"Many have given their lives, and it is our job to make sure that they are never forgotten for their sacrifice," he said. 

 

"We must also remember the military families that have lost loved ones throughout the years, and remember that they need our support, love, and care." 

 

Robert Guerley was the officer of the day, the Pledge of Allegiance was led by the Boy and Girl Scouts of America, the volley was done by the Vietnam Veterans of America James E. Callahan Berkshire Chapter 65 Honor Guard, and taps was performed by Joe DeFilipo. 

 

In Dalton, the town honored the fallen at Nessacus Regional Middle School after being rained out like many other celebrations around the county. 

 

Master of ceremonies was Robert Dassat, head of the Memorial Day Committee and commander of the Dalton American Legion. He introduced the Rev. Brian McGrath of the St. Agnes' Church who led the invocation.

 

Keynote speakers were Wahconah High students Jack Walton and Lucy Grant. 

 

Walton, introduced by committee member Cathy Grady, is a junior and a member of the National Honor Society. He spoke about his grandfather, Craig Walton, who served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. He told his grandson stories about the war, including the time his base was infiltrated by the enemy.

 

"I can't even begin to imagine the fear that went through all of their heads as that moment took place," said Jack Walton. "I think about how those moments of fear were for some, their last moments of life, and for others the last moment they saw their friends and comrades. I think of how hard it must have been and still must be for not only my grandfather. but all family and friends of those whose lives were lost in war. Whether they were killed in battle or had to suffer with lifelong injuries, mental or physical, those who have given their lives for our country have done a great service to us all. It is the ultimate sacrifice."

 

Grant, also a junior, is the president of the National Honor Society and tutors at the CRA. She spoke of the need to reflect on the sacrifices made by the men and women who serve.

 

"We gather today to fulfill a sacred duty of remembering, honoring, and expressing our deepest gratitude to the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice of service to our nation. Today is a reminder that the freedoms we all enjoy today-to speak our minds, live in peace, and pursue happiness were bought at a tremendous price by those who served," she said. "The liberties we often take for granted are a gift, given to us by generations of American citizens who answered the call of duty and never came home. Whether you know someone who served and never returned home or not, we all are here today to recognize the sacrifice they made. Their courage is an inspiration and shall not be forgotten."

 

Select Board members were present as well as state Sen. Paul Mark. Select Board Chair John Boyle thanked Dassat for his more than 20 years of organizing the Memorial Day events as it is his last year as chair of the committee.  

 

Boy Scout Troop 4 laid the four wreaths and the Nessacus Middle School band played the national anthem, taps, and the music they were supposed to play on their parade route.

 

Because of inclement weather, proceedings in North Adams were moved indoors into the American Legion.

 

Keynote speaker state Rep. John Barrett III said, locally, those who served were more than soldiers and it was important to remember who they were within the community.  

 

"They were members of our families, our neighborhood, part of the foundation of this county," he said. "... The names we honor today are not strangers. They are sons and daughters … the same people who once sat in a classroom, walked the street, played on fields, had ordinary jobs, laughed with friends and dreamed about their future."

 

He said many who served were young and just starting their lives. The ones that never made it home never got the chance to grow old and share their stories with children and grandchildren.     

 

He said freedom is not automatic and that saying thanks on Memorial Day should not be a single-day occasion. He said Americans should show gratitude every day.

 

Barrett said the loss is amplified in a small community like North Adams. 

 

"What makes this emotional in a small community like ours is that the loss never really fully disappears … in communities like ours names stay alive," he said. "The mother who never fully recovered from losing a son, the folded flag handed to a  grieving family, the father who carried a quiet heartbreak for the rest of his life. Some families here today still carry that. We should never forget when a service member dies, the sacrifice does not end on the battlefield."

 

He asked the crowd to live lives worthy of that sacrifice adding that many who came home still carry invisible wounds.

 

"The men and women we honor today did not sacrifice their life for the hatred and bitterness and division that we see so much today," Barrett said. "They sacrificed for the idea that America, despite all of its imperfections, is still worth believing in and worth protecting. That responsibility now lies with us, especially on this day."

 

Mayor Jennifer Macksey asked residents to remember that Memorial Day is not simply the unofficial beginning of summer. 

 

"It's not a day of a long weekend, and it's not just another day on the calendar. It's a day of remembrance, a day of gratitude. A day to pause and reflect," she said. "We are here because generations of brave men and women answered a call greater than themselves. They left behind farms and factories, classrooms, corner stores, home towns, and loved ones and stepped forward to serve this country in uniform … Today, we must honor them. It is our duty.

 

She thanked the veterans in the room noting that Memorial Day is a very personal day for them 

 

"You remember faces, voices, friendships, and moments that never can be erased. On behalf of this community, I thank you for your service, but not only for your service, but carrying those memories forward with dignity and honor," she said. "The greatest way we can honor all of those who gave their lives is not only through living the best life we can, but by serving our communities, by treating one another with decency and respect, by defending democracy and civic responsibility, and by teaching the Next generation what the day means."

 

The Rev. David Anderson of First Baptist Church opened and closed the ceremony with a prayer and recalled presiding over Army Spc. Michael DeMarsico II's funeral in 2012. DeMarsico was killed while serving in Afghanistan.

 

"Nothing that we did those weeks would ever be big enough to take in the scope of what had happened to the DeMarsico family," he said. "What we do here, every Memorial Day, is important ... .We come because families like the DeMarsicos paid the ultimate price."

 

The Drury High School band played patriotic selections throughout the morning and Drury High students Gabriella Packard and Paige Burdick were awarded the George Angeli Award after reading the Gettysburg Address.