Veterans Day Being Observed in Berkshire County
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Ceremonies and parades are being planned for Veterans Day on Tuesday, including in Berkshire County's two cities.Both Pittsfield and North Adams will hold parades through their downtowns on Nov. 11, followed by remarks at the each city's veterans' memorials.
Veterans Day is marked every Nov. 11, the anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Versailles that ended World War I on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. President Wilson proclaimed the first Armistice Day a year later; after World War II, the day was expanded to recognize veterans of all wars.
Federal, state and local offices will be closed, as will libraries, schools, banks and post offices. Most retail operations will be open; the stock market will also be open. BerkshireRides and the BRTA will not be operating.
In North Adams, the annual parade begins at 10:30 a.m. from the American Legion. Local officials, veterans groups, active duty personnel, the Drury High school band, auxiliary members and any veterans wishing to participate will march up Main Street and down Eagle Street to the Veterans Memorial.
The master of ceremonies is VFW Senior Vice Cmdr. Francis Gardzina. The guest speaker is James Army, American Legion national executive committeeman, and the main speaker is American Legion Post 125 Cmdr. Dennis St. Pierre.
Parade participants are asked to meet at the Legion by 10.
In Pittsfield, the annual parade begins at 10 a.m. from the corner of Fenn and North streets and end at the Veterans Memorial off South Street.
North Street from Park Square to Fenn Street, Fenn from North to First Street and Allen Street from Fenn to School Street will be closed beginning at 9:30. North Street, the top of West Street, South Street, Veterans Way, and Colt Street will be closed at 10. There will be no parking on these streets after 8:30 a.m.
The master of ceremonies will be Fran Tremblay and the keynote speaker will be radio personality Sherman L. Baldwin. Mary Verdi will sing the national anthem and a Veteran of the Year will be announced.
The Williamstown American Legion begins its ceremony about 9:30 a.m.
