NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The city will dedicate on Memorial Day addendum honor roll plaque listing more than 30 veterans inadvertently left of the rolls.
The project to identify missing veterans was spearheaded by Richard McCarthy, the city's former veteran services officer.
"This was one his big pet projects so he really initiated everything and really was an advocate for getting it done," said David Robbins, the current veterans service officer. "So as long as I've been in office, he's been helping with the project to make sure the names were there and spellings are correct."
Robbins said his office posted fliers and advertised in the paper and on local public access television to reach out to veterans whose names weren't listed for some reason or their families. "We were really pushing to get this done for Memorial Day."
The result is a bronze addendum plaque with names of veterans dating from World War I to Vietnam attached to the larger Vietnam War list a week or so ago. A separate plaque for veterans of the more recent Middle East wars will be added once those conflicts are concluded, said Robbins.
In a statement, Mayor Richard Alcombright said McCarthy was also assisted Community Development Director Michael Nuvallie.
"Dick's persistence, compassion and dedication, undoubtedly was the impetus that led to the creation of this new addendum plaque," he said. "With the help of Dave and Mike, this has truly been a job well done to recognize those veterans."
McCarthy will be this year's keynote speaker at the annual Memorial Day ceremonies. The line of march and program are as follows:
Stepping off at 9:30 a.m. from the American Legion (participants are asked to arrive by 9); along American Legion Drive, north on Main Street and down Eagle Street to the Veterans' Memorial
Police Cruiser
Color Guards:
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 996
Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 54
American Veterans (AMVETS) Post 100
American Legion Post 125
Parade Marshals; Al Domenichini, VFW; Thomas Lussier, American Legion; Michael Chalifoux, VVA; James Lambert, AMVETS
Richard McCarthy, keynote speaker; Mayor Richard Alcombright; Emma Waryjasz, Gettysburg Address; Joseph Cariddi, parade coordinator; Mark Sprague, Memorial Day Committee chairman
Sons of the American Legion Squadron 125; Members of the VFW, American Legion, Vietnam Veterans, AMVETS, United States Navy Armed Guard Association and any and all veterans who wish to participate. You do not have to belong to any veteran's organization.
Members of VFW, American Legion and AMVETS Auxiliaries
Drury High School Band; Chris Caproni, director
Girl Scouts & Brownies; Donna Senecal
Boy Scouts & Cub Scouts; William Meranti
Trolley for transporting veterans, etc., courtesy city of North Adams
North Adams Fire Department Ladder No. 2
North Adams Ambulance Service
PROGRAM
Master of Ceremonies: Michael Chalifoux, president VVA Chapter 54
Opening Prayer: Louis Floriani, chaplain, American Legion Post 125
Pledge to the Flag; Luke Grant, Troop 88, Stamford Elementary School
Drury Band: "Star-Spangled Banner"
Mayor Richard Alcombright
Introduction of parade marshals & nonspeaking dignitaries
Keynote Speaker; Richard McCarthy, former veterans service officer, city of North Adams
Drury Band: "Let There Be Peace On Earth"
Gettysburg Address: Emma Waryjasz, daughter of Michelle and Ed Waryjasz of North Adams. She is in Grade 8 at Drury High School and the recipient of the George Angeli Award.
Presentation of the George Angeli Award by the North Adams Police Department
Closing Prayer: Louis Floriani, chaplain, American Legion Post 125
Sounding of taps, Anuj Shah and Max Quinn
Thanks to Randy Wood and the Sons of The American Legion Squadron 125 for passing out flags.
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The result is a bronze addendum plaque with names of veterans dating from World War I to Vietnam attached to the larger Vietnam War list a week or so ago. A separate plaque for veterans of the more recent Middle East wars will be added once those conflicts are concluded, said Robbins. 