ROYALSTON — The American and POW-MIA flags were outstretched in the gentle, warm breeze, with the red, white, and blue bunting-bedecked Royalston Town Hall as a backdrop. The flags fluttered beautifully against an early summer sky of brilliant blue, punctuated with puffy white clouds. This past Monday was as near a perfect Memorial Day as is meteorologically possible.
At half staff, the flags provided a somber reminder that the perfect day was set aside to remember those who gave their last full measure; those who died in military service to our great country. The lives lost, represented by those two flags at half-staff, were the same lives that protected the rights of those assembled on the Town Common.
While many Memorial Day addresses are oftentimes thoughtful but impersonal history lessons, Royalston’s guest speaker, a former Marine Sergeant, offered one that was intensely personal, painful on many levels, and hammered home the fact Memorial Day exercises — very much like flags at half-staff — are to commemorate the dead.
Jay Consiglio, who served in the Marine Corps from 2000 to 2004, ending as a sergeant with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 81st Platoon, was the honored guest speaker. His address reflected on the ultimate sacrifice made just two days before Christmas 2004, when four men, all in their early 20s “laid down their lives to ensure the safety of the brothers in their platoon during combat opera.
Consiglio, the squad leader, had been sidelined with an injury, and did not deploy with the man he had trained to eventually replace him as squad leader, a roommate, and two of the other members of their platoon. “I have felt guilty every day since. Every single day I have wondered if I could have perhaps changed the events. Or maybe the hair on the back of my neck would have stood up and the mission would have been called off.
“The reality is, I didn’t get, nor will I ever get the chance. I have been given the chance to change lives through a meaningful career in law enforcement. I have been given the chance to show my children Daddy loves them. I have been given the opportunity to love an amazing woman. The past was bumpy, but it led me to the beautiful life I have today, and that life is a blessing I will be forever grateful for.”
Interwoven with humorous comments, Consiglio assured the crowd of more than 100 his brothers would “want you to do whatever makes you happy,” and that they would be best honored by the living “flexing their freedoms.”
His lost brothers would also expect everyone “to find a person in need and lend a hand; embrace the values that make us America. … Show someone some compassion, because that’s what my brothers were all about. In fact, they were so about compassion, they willingly laid down their lives to ensure our quality of life never changed.”
Royalston Memorial Day exercises were emceed by former Selectman Andy West. He introduced Monty Tech Marine Jr. ROTC Cadet Alexandra G. Phelps, who led the Pledge of Allegiance. There was an invocation by Chaplain Peter Newman, and Erin Girouard offered a moving rendition of The Star Spangled Banner.
A warm welcome was offered by Deb D’Amico, chair of the Royalston Select Board. Debra LeRay offered the classic Memorial Day reading, “In Flanders Fields.” Cadet Phelps read President Trump’s Proclamation on Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day 2019. Accompanying herself on guitar, Girouard offered a second selection, “Where Have All the Flowers Gone.”
With assistance from Royalston children Colton Chapman and Jackson Phelps, Chaplain Newman oversaw the folding of the flag as his wife, Bobbi, read a story about the meaning of each fold. Chaplain Newman then raised the American and POW-MIA flags to their rightful, full staff positions. Chapman offered a poem, and Ms. Girourd led the audience in “God Bless America.”
A parade formed and marched to the Old Centre Cemetery, where a wreath dedication ceremony was conducted, with Samantha West providing the benediction, a reading titled “Cemetery on Memorial Day.” Volleys and moments of silence were offered as flags at the Royalston Public Safety Building, the Royalston Post Office, and the former Raymond School were raised to full staff on the return trip.
The town’s E. Howard Tower Clock struck three as the parade was returning to the common, where Nancy Melbourne and members of the Ladies’ Benevolent Society had organized a potluck luncheon, open to all townspeople, with all veterans as guests of honor. There was plenty of ice-cold water, along with sandwiches, salads, and chips, hot dishes, and array of beverages and desserts.
The crowd lingered at tables under the shade of sugar maples in front of the First Congregational Church. Veterans were thanked, along with others who helped pull the parade together, including color guard and war reenactors Rick Abbott of Warwick, Andrew Hastings of Westfield, and Glenn Hastings of Royalston, and honor guard from Athol American Legion Post 102 Position Commander Bill Graziano, Rocky Stone, Andy Anderson, Mick Bjork, and Peter Newman.
Also participating in the day was a large contingent from Royalston’s Police Department, members of Royalston Fire & EMS, and many participants from the greater community.
Memorial Day 2019 was organized by Elizabeth Weaver, and members of the Memorial Day Committee. Flags had been placed at the grave of every identified veteran in Royalston cemeteries by Brenda L. Putney, and her support team.