ADAMS, Mass — Memorial Day is usually filled with parades featuring local veterans, addresses by various officials, student essays and high school marching bands. 

 

Those observances were canceled last year but the abbreviated versions held Monday were a sign that the community is getting back to normal after 14 months under a public health emergency.

 

The ceremonies ranged from private gatherings at cemeteries to low-key public rituals to a couple short parades thrown together at the last minute as pandemic restrictions were lifted on Saturday.

 

"In my opinion, our nation has just endured an event, COVID-19, that rivals World War II and the overreaching impact that it has had on our entire U.S. society," said retired National Guard Lt. Col. Francis Bourdon at a cold and windy Maple Street Cemetery in Adams. "The number of deaths in the United States in slightly over one year is over 590,000 people from COVID, as compared to 409,000 deaths for the four-plus years involving World War Two."

 

In both cases, these deaths affected "nearly every family and every town in this country," disrupted business and challenged social norms, he said, changed a recovering country.

 

"Just as a country did after World War II, we will evolve and adapt to a new sense of purpose and emerge stronger and more resilient," Bourdon said. "I believe this, because we have a strong and proven Constitution, and people who believe in the American dream, and one nation, under God."

 

He encouraged citizens to live the principles of justice, freedom and democracy by contributing in their communities, voting, paying taxes and "making the hometown a better place in which to live."

 

"The many parades and services throughout this nation give testimony to our respect and appreciation for these brave souls," Bourdon said. "I propose that is equally important that we today acknowledge our responsibilities to perpetuate those freedoms, which they died to secure, through our own actions, as we continue to be challenged by actual and potential adversaries, both at home and abroad."

 

Adams had dispensed with a parade given the short notice for assembly but the observance still included a nod to local veterans, an honor guard and attendance by local officials and Bourdon as guest speaker. Deacon Gregory LaFreniere of Sts. Patrick & Raphael Parish in Williamstown gave the prayers.

 

Master of Ceremonies Paul Hutchinson also noted the loss of U.S. Capitol Police Officer William Evans, who was killed in an attack at the Capitol in April and laid to rest in Bellevue Cemetery.

 

"Freedom is not free. Every generation answers freedom's call," Hutchinson said. "All gave some gut some gave all. And it's those who gave their all that we remember today."

 

Students Kylee Legg read the Gettysburg Address and Molly McClear read the poem "In Flanders Fields."

 

Hoosac Valley High School band director Jacob Keplinger stepped in to play "The Star-spangled Banner" and also taps, which he repeated later in Cheshire.

 

Cheshire was one of few communities to hold a parade — one that almost got canceled because of the cold and rainy weather. The shortened route went around the small downtown and ended at the Honor Roll at Town Hall where Selectmen Chairwoman Michelle Francesconi placed a wreath. Fire trucks, police, Shriners and a host of kids with decorated bikes were greeted with applause and waving American flags. 

 

"Today is a holiday given to the people to commemorate the sacrifice that over a million men and women made to establish and protect our freedom," said Francesconi. "It is vitally important that we remember the reasons behind the sacrifice that these men and women made for our country."

 

Quoting from President Reagan's 1982 address at Arlington National Cemetery, Francesconi reflected on the obligation for their sacrifice to be honored. 

 

"So today as you leave the ceremony, continue to be mindful of those who gave their lives, and of the loved ones, friends and fellow soldiers that they left behind," she said. "Theirs is a sacrifice that has been made by those who remain standing and we have a commitment to honor the loss they suffered."

 

Fire Chief Thomas Francesconi read the names of Cheshire's fallen and the Rev. William D. Furey, pastor of Berkshire Union Chapel, gave the prayers. 

 

In North Adams, a small ceremony was held at the American Legion Post 125.

 

Keynote speaker Maj. Jacob Schutz of the Army National Guard said it is common practice to attend Memorial Day ceremonies, place flags on graves, and to visit memorials. He added that it was also common to look to the past.

 

"It is easy for most of us to get drawn slowly into the past. We think of great battles of long ago, areas or lands far away. Like the patriots in the revolution, the bygone trauma of the Civil War, the sinister acts of the Great War, or the reverberations of World War II," he said. "More recently, we think of places like Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan ... typically we recall tales or images of our great great grandparents, our great grandparents, our grandparents, and our parents alike."

 

Schutz recalled Gen. Logan's Memorial Day order and said many heed the call every year and attend ceremonies and services. He noted it is still hard for many to "testify" or completely empathize with the lost and those left behind. This is at no fault of their own.

 

"How can you relate without firsthand experience? Mourning and testifying about the loss of life is hard and something once out of mind is not especially welcomed to return," he said. "... From 1775 to today, almost 250 years, the United States has suffered nearly 700,000 combat-related deaths. In recent history, many Americans have not experienced the suffering and agony of a loved one who made the ultimate sacrifice. Soberingly this does hit close to home and some of these grieving families are our neighbors."

 

Schutz named Green Beret Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Petithory of Cheshire who was killed in action in 2001 in Afghanistan, Army Spc. Michael R. DeMarsico II of North Adams who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2012, and U.S. Capitol Police Officer William Evans of Clarksburg who was killed at the Capitol this year.

 

"I suggest that we strive to comprehend the pain, anguish, and suffering actually paid by the deceased and passed to their families paid to maintain our free and undivided republic," he said. "That painful work all too familiar to the families of the fallen can not be lost to the passage of time."

 

Though there was no parade this year, the Drury High band did play a few selections. Local Boy Scouts lead the Pledge of Allegiance around the POW-MIA monument adorned with flowers provided to the Legion by Mount Williams Greenhouse.

 

The Boy Scouts also lead a flag retirement ceremony — the flags were burned — at the conclusion of the ceremony.

 

Mayor Thomas Bernard could not attend the ceremony because his daughter's graduation was scheduled at the same time. He wrote in a letter read during the ceremony that he was there in spirit and thanked all veterans for their service.

 

"As we enter into a new phase of recovery and renewal in North Adams and throughout our nation, remember that testing and trial involves service and sacrifice. I know this is a price our service members have worn all too often and one that those who lost comrades, fathers, mothers brothers, and sisters pay daily. The sacrifice of our fallen service members is a legacy carried by those who pick up the torch of freedom from those who came before them and carry it brightly into the future. I join you in honoring their memory."

 

Nearly 100 people attended a Memorial Day Ceremony at the Pittsfield Cemetery. The rain held off and the temperature was a chilly-but-manageable 50 degrees.

 

Keynote speaker Staff Sgt. P.J. Hunt quoted President Kennedy in saying that as we express our gratitude for soldiers who have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.

 

Hunt participated in the placing of flags next to graves of service members at the Pittsfield and St. Joseph Cemeteries. He said this "tremendous honor" gave him the opportunity to spend a brief moment with veterans of every conflict from the American Revolution to the Gulf War.

 

"It gives me a great sense of pride in what I do, to know that long after I'm gone, and as long as America remains, someone like me will be out here on a day just like this," He said.

 

"Today, we honor our fallen heroes, those brave men, and women who possess the pride, courage, and dedication to selflessly serve our nation when called upon our service members have served proudly and distinctively in every major conflict, our nation has faced, and they ask for little, yet they inspire so much through their selfless service, they portray the values and ideals on which this country was founded as Kennedy said, the highest appreciation we can provide is to live by the ideals of those that have gone before us."

 

Hunt also spoke on the "variety of unforeseen challenges" that the year has provided the military with between civil unrest across the nation, massive wildfires, hurricanes, and of course, COVID-19.

 

"In every instance, they have honored their predecessors by stepping up and tackling every new challenge head-on with professionalism and dedication," Hunt said. "We can all take pride in having been a part of such a tremendous effort. This past year has been challenging, not just on the military, but all Americans, as the country continues to battle and climb out of COVID-19."

 

He sent out a special "thank you" to the National Guard, who were on the front line from the beginning helping the nation fight this battle.

 

Mayor Linda Tyer expressed gratitude for being able to see the crowd's smiling faces as the county recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

"It's really lovely to see all of you here today for this solemn occasion, all of your faces, without your masks," she said. "We've reached a milestone, and seeing your smiles, is a very special moment for all of us as we emerge from this global pandemic."

 

This year's ceremony did not include a parade and last year's event was a small, private gathering that was televised because of the onset of the pandemic.

 

At the ceremony, Pastor Tom Bridgman of Grace Church Congregational gave the invocation and benediction; Fran Tremblay was emcee, Mike Bradley sang the national anthem; Marine veteran Mike Ancora read the Gen. Logan's Memorial Day Order; posting of colors were by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 448 Cdr. Arnie Perras; the Rev. Peter Gregory read the names of departed veterans from 2020-2021; there were taps and a volley, and Berkshire Veterans Coalition commanders and representatives threw poppies of honor into the urn.

 

Staff Writers Jack Guerino, Brittany Polito and Tammy Danlels contributed to this report.