PHILLIPSTON – A gentle breeze and a nearly cloudless sky greeted
those who gathered Sunday morning for ceremonies marking Memorial Day in Phillipston. A short parade – which included members of Girl Scout Troop 30908, Cadette Troop 30908, Cub Scout and Boy Scout troops 39, the Color Guard of the Monty Tech Junior ROTC, members of the town’s police and fire departments and select board, guests, veterans and veterans auxiliaries, and the Narragansett Regional High School band – made its way from the town common to Upper Cemetery.
Deacon Gerry Gariepy said, in his invocation, “We come together on this Memorial Day to honor and remember those men and women who dedicated themselves to the service and protection of our country. We honor and remember those people who are serving today, both at home and abroad, and we pray for their safe return. And we pray for us to give them appreciation and support when they do come back.”
“We honor and remember the veterans who served in the past to protect us from danger and harm. Some of them are standing here among us. And to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we have today,” Gariepy continued, “we give great honor and appreciation in the holy quiet of this place. The names surround us, and they live with us in blessed memory.”
Gariepy, former Naval aviator, ended the invocation by imploring the leaders of the world “to use statecraft to solve their differences and conflicts, rather than war, that we may come to know peace on earth.”
A wreath was then laid by Pack 39 Cub Scouts Dexter Leano and Max Kimball.
The Firing Squad of American Legion Post #373 fired three volleys in remembrance of the fallen, which was followed by the playing of “Taps” by Narragansett Regional High School Band members Andrew Parker and Andrew LeBlanc. The band, under the direction of Bobby Rathbone, then performed the National Anthem.
The morning’s ceremonies continued at the town common, starting with the laying of a wreath by Senior Girl Scout Autumn Hayes, of Troop 30908, and Troop 30908 Cadette Girl Scout Mellisa Maguy.
Another volley from the firing squad and the playing of Taps preceded the raising of the American flag on the common from half staff to its full height.
Select Board member Kim Pratt said, “It’s a beautiful day for us to honor those who gave their lives so that we are all safe and can enjoy our freedom. We also show our gratitude for those who continue to serve keep us safe, and their families, who make their own sacrifices and face their own hardships.”
State Sen. Ann Gobi and state Rep. Susannah Whipps also made brief comments, after which they presented NRHS student Abigail Bennet with the Gold Award, the highest achievement with Girl Scouts USA. Fewer than six percent of all eligible Girl Scouts successfully earn the award.
Guest speaker former U.S. Army Staff Sergeant James Buzzell said he was enlisted in the Army in 2004 as an infantryman, and was assigned to the 1st Armored Division in Germany. He was subsequently deployed to Iraq in 2006. “As the lead gunner on over 200 missions in 12 months, I had the opportunity to work with some amazing people in unbelievable circumstances. I’ve had the opportunity work with the best men and women our country has, and I’ll be forever grateful for that,” he said. “Memorial Day means so much and holds a special place in my heart. The people you serve with become more than just friends; they become family. Losing those people touches you deeply inside. It stays with you forever. I will never forget the men and women that we lost.”
After brief remarks thanking all the volunteers who helped make Sunday’s ceremonies possible, event Marshall David Bramhall dismissed the crowd to enjoy refreshments on the lawn of the Unitarian Universalist Church.