ADAMS, Mass. — Hoosac Valley Elementary School third-graders hosted a Memorial Day celebration for families, community members, local veterans, and school administration on Tuesday.

 

Guest speaker retired Command Sgt. Maj. Jason F. Civello, a Hoosac Valley graduate, asked the students gathered in the school auditorium to raise their hands if they liked to help people. He said those who raised their hands have a lot in common with military personnel.

 

He then talked about his experience in the Army and how it has shaped his perspective on Memorial Day.

 

"As someone who spent over three decades serving in the United States Army, I can tell you that military service is built on many things: discipline, sacrifice, teamwork, loyalty and love of our country," he said. "But there is something else that every service member understands. Service means that some will give everything and Memorial Day is about those heroes."

 

He added that he served with many people from different backgrounds, races, and religions.

 

"Once we put on that uniform we were all one team, one mission, one family. Among those people were individuals willing to sacrifice everything for the persons standing next to them and for the country they love," he said.

 

Civello went on to say that Memorial Day is more than a summer cookout or the unofficial start of summer. He said although there is nothing wrong with enjoying these moments with friends and family, it is important to remember the real meaning of Memorial Day.

 

"Take a moment to think about those who never came home. Think about the families who still carry that loss," he said. "Think about the service members who gave everything so that we could live in freedom."

 

American Legion Post 160 presented the colors. Students Odin Kolodziejczyk, Aiden Lamb, Paisley Titman and Kaylee Cyrulik led the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a "Star-Spangled Banner" sing-along.

 

Throughout the afternoon, students introduced each guest speaker and provided short bios.

 

Students Brier Zieminski and Benjamin Moncecchi read a history of Memorial Day. Students Mileena Dupont, Gianna Gurney, Josephine McGinnis and Susan Rudnitski read essays on what Memorial Day meant to them.

 

Students Mira Sharma and Luci Cairns read a history of the Declaration of Independence and students Haleigh Speissegger, Christopher Solak, Jacob Haring, and Maxine Wendell read their essays on the matter.

 

State Sen. Paul Mark, who serves as chair of the Commission on the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution, spoke about the Declaration of Independence and its connection to Berkshire County.

 

"The revolution started here in Massachusetts …Western Mass got involved and then there was the Knox Trail. Cannons were carried down from Fort Ticonderoga across New York, across Massachusetts, all the way to Boston where they were brought to bear on the British forces," he said. "When the British forces saw what was happening in our colony at the time, with this weaponry, they saw Western Mass line and said, 'Oh my God, we're out of here.'"

 

He thanked the students for hosting the event and spoke to the importance of understanding how critical the Declaration of Independence is and how it is important to continue to fight for what the document stands for.

 

"So it is so important that as third graders you took the time to learn about all of this stuff. You took the time to teach us all. And hopefully, as you become adults, you will find opportunities to serve," he said.

"Whether it's service in our armed forces, whether it's serving as a teacher, whether it's serving as a government official or even something as simple as voting, participating in government," he said. "…Democracy is always a participatory sport. You don't take part in it, it goes away."

 

Third-graders performed two choral arrangements and read poems.

 

Hoosac Valley High School enlistees were honored on stage and organizer Marie McCarron asked all veterans to stand in the crowd to be recognized.