Berkshire County Towns Remember the Fallen on Memorial DayStaff Reports, iBerkshires Staff
02:50PM / Monday, May 26, 2025 | |
 Wahconah High senior Daniel Sargent, West Point class of 2029, speaks at Dalton's Memorial Day ceremony on Monday. |
DALTON, Mass. — Daniel Sargent's cousin inspired him to serve his country and he'll be off to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point this fall to join the class of 2029.
"When I was young my cousin served in Afghanistan. At that time I didn't fully comprehend what he was doing. When he was home I would try to get his attention even if he was sleeping, I looked up to him and believed he was one of the coolest people. I didn't truly understand what he was willing to do, make the ultimate sacrifice for this country. As I got a little older I wanted to be a soldier just like him," the Wahconah Regional High senior told the gathering in Main Street Cemetery on Monday.
"The best way to make this day important is to show what it means to me, what Memorial Day means to me is honoring and supporting those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and those who are willing to."
Sargent was one of two Wahconah students speaking at Dalton's annual Memorial Day ceremony, following a parade down Main Street.
The second was junior Haze Brown, who spoke about their grandfather who fought in the Vietnam War, worked with the Reserves and taught military history at the University of New Hampshire.
"As residents of Massachusetts and residents of Berkshire County it's important to remember just how many veterans have walked our soil. Not many places in the U.S. can boast having sections of our cemeteries dedicated to Revolutionary War soldiers, not many places can offer such a rich and longstanding tradition of respect or remembrance for our community members that have served our country," they said. "Berkshire County has residents that have fought in every single conflict from the revolution to now we are a place rich in history and rich in life."
Joseph Diver, former Select Board member, served as the master of ceremony.
"Beyond the delicious barbecues and gatherings of friends and family, Memorial Day is a time to remember the individuals behind the uniforms. Their stories, their families, and their legacy of sacrifice for this nation. We dedicate today to the citizens of Dalton who died in service for our country," he said.
Students Brodie Hand, Damien Blakesley, Theo Smith, Reagan Moynihan, and Jacob Henault, from Craneville Elementary laid the wreaths and Cmdr. Robert Dassat of American Legion Post 155 lead the Pledge of Allegiance, read a tribute to a fallen soldier and the names of fallen Dalton servicemen, and made the closing remarks.
Pittsfield
A procession marched from City Hall to the Pittsfield Cemetery to mark Memorial Day, per tradition.
Director of Veteran Services James Clark reminded the more than 100 attendees that they "Join together as a people to honor the brave men and women who sacrificed all in defense of our country and for all the countless men and women who are still serving in harm's way all around the world today."
He also pointed to the significant historical milestones that this day neighbors: The nation will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in July, the Army will celebrate its 250th birthday next month, and April 30 marked the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War.
"A war and its aftermath that is very much remembered by many of the attendees here today," Clark added.
Mayor Peter Marchetti thanked the veterans and volunteers who place flags on about 10,000 graves across Pittsfield. His late father, Peter L. Marchetti, served in the Army from 1965 to 1970.
"Driving into St Joe's cemetery yesterday to decorate my father's grave, the view of the flag sent a stark reminder of the number of veterans who have served from Pittsfield and Berkshire County, and it instilled a sense of pride in me to know that that many people answered when they were called," the mayor said.
"This morning, we gathered to remember all those that paid the ultimate sacrifice. Let us also remember the families and loved ones of the fallen heroes, especially the Gold Star families."
Keynote speaker Lenwood "Woody" Vaspra, commander of American Legion Post 68, said without the sacrifices of men and women in uniform, America would not stand, and "Our ideals of freedom and democracy are only possible due to their dedication."
"Many veterans remain silent about their participation in the Vietnam War, but now are coming out to share their experiences from combat and other encounters. This willingness to share their stories with other counterparts helps us to find peace within themselves," he said.
"Now is the time to acknowledge all veterans who served on behalf of our country, especially those who did not return."
He explained that those who returned from combat are still suffering from trauma, some losing their lives as a result of it, and "Whether they died in battle or came home and died later. They paid the ultimate price."
Clark shared a portion of the recommendation letter for National Legionnaire of the Year he sent on behalf of Vaspra, explaining that he "recognizes the disparity in the way veterans of this era were treated versus the way our soldiers are honored upon returning home today."
"With this in mind, Woody has spent his post-military life giving back to veterans of all ages by advocating for their health rights and well-being," Clark read.
Adams
Adams honored its fallen service members at a ceremony at Maple Street Cemetery, emphasizing the importance of remembering them and sharing their stories.
"Across our hills and valleys, our towns and cities lie the resting places of heroes, some known to us, and many not. From the forest of our dens to the deserts of Iraq, from the frozen hills of Korea, to the fields of Gettysburg, they answered the call to service, not knowing if they would return, and many did not," said Kurtis Durocher, Northern Berkshire Veterans Services director.
Children decorated their bikes in patriotic colors for the parade in Adams. More photos here.
"Their stories are etched into the very soil of our community here in Northern Berkshire. We remember sons and daughters who walked these same streets, studied in our schools, fished in our rivers, and then don the uniform of this nation. They are not statistics. They are our family."
During the event, Hoosac Valley High School senior Emma Meczywor read the poem "In Flanders Field," and Molly McLear the Gettysburg Address.
They also honored Army Staff Sgt. John Meczywor of Adams, who died last year while on duty at Arlington National Cemetery, and Pittsfield's Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob Galliher, who died on training mission in 2023.
"For 155 years, the country has paused to remember and reflect on those who perished in defense of freedom. This Memorial Day is no different. Although its creation was to pay homage to the Civil War dead, the remembrance has been expanded to honor all those who perished in the nation's conflicts," said Fred Lora, master of ceremonies.
"In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a federal holiday to be on the last Monday in May. These heroes left the comfort of their homes, their families, loved ones and friends to serve a greater purpose. They died to preserve the American way of life."
Meczywor was raised in Adams and served as a logistician at Fort Myer, Va.; was laid to rest on Nov. 21, 2024, at Arlington National Cemetery. Galliher's memory will be honored again on July 19 during the second annual Jake Gallagher 5K hosted by American Legion Post 160 on July 19.
"Train as we fight, is a principle that emphasizes preparing for combat by training in environments and under conditions that replicate the physical demands, stress, and tactical challenges that will be faced in war," Lora said.
"And on rare occasions, members of the military have died during the demanding training required in our military. Freedom is not free, and each generation must answer freedom's call. It is those who pay the ultimate sacrifice while serving this country that we remember today."
Williamstown
Susan McAlpine, left, and her daughter Jenifer McAlpine are presented a flag for the late Thomas McAlpine, a veteran. More photos here.
Field Park in Williamstown was crowded with residents who had marched or followed the baseball players, Girl Scouts, emergency vehicles, horses, civic leaders and Mount Greylock Regional School band from Spring Street.
Keynote speaker was Wayne Soares, an actor, entertainer and author who has not only entertained the troops but given voice to veterans through his columns (which run in iBerkshires) and shows, including the documentary "Silent Dignity" about Vietnam veterans. His address was a tribute to the average American soldier and he was accompanied by violinist Aero Higdon-Topaz, a student at Mount Greylock Regional School.
"The average American combat soldier is a mere 19 years of age," said Soares. "He is a short-haired, tight-muscle kid who, under normal circumstances, is considered by society to be half-man, half-boy, not yet old enough to buy beer, but old enough to fight and die, to defend his country and to protect the freedom of others around the world. ...
"Remember him always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood, with his sweat and with his tears, to all who currently wear or have ever worn the uniform of our country, the United States of America, we salute you."
He also offered a lengthy list of the veterans he'd spoken to over the years, sharing bits of their stories and the harsh experiences they'd lived through.
"I'm reminded of Sgt. Dick McCarthy, United States Army, talking about being a young, 20-year-old in Bien Hoa and his humility on being awarded the Silver Star for heroically standing in the line of fire with disregard for his own safety, saving the lives of numerous men and women in his convoy," he said. "I'm reminded of Pvt. Johnny Bates, tunnel rat, talking about the constant threat of danger on every mission, the reoccurring nightmares and cold sweats and never forgetting the screams of a fellow soldier who was in front of him on a mission who ran into a booby trap of poisonous snakes set by the Vietcong. ...
"To all of our veterans across this great nation and who are no longer with us, I say a heartfelt and most profound thank you for your service to our great country. God bless America. Thank you."
The Mount Greylock school chorus sang "In Remembrance" and Jaden King sang "American the Beautiful."
The color guard folded the flag, which was presented by Post 152 Chaplain Ronald James to the family of the late Thomas L. "Mick" McAlpine — his wife, Susan McAlpine, and daughter, Jenifer. McAlpine, who died in February, served in the Army as a helicopter mechanic.
"We're not here for ourselves. We're here to recognize the people that served and did the ultimate sacrifice for our country," said James in opening the ceremony. "Let us remember that without their sacrifice, we would not be able to gather here today and celebrate Memorial Day. Please in your thoughts and in your minds and in your prayers, if you're so inclined, please remember all that have passed. This list on the wall over here is not complete. It doesn't show the grief of the families left behind."
North Adams
In North Adams, keynote speaker the Rev. David Anderson, pastor of First Baptist Church, reflected on his own history with Memorial Day and patriotism. He recalled an early memory of attending his first Boston Red Sox game at Fenway Park with his father, a member of the Air Force.
He recalled the sudden change in the ballpark when the national anthem played and 30,000 attendees started to sing together. He saw how important it was to his father. Something that day seemed to matter.
Later in life, his father became more vocal about his time in the Air Force. Anderson said he always valued his father's stories and could clearly see how much they mattered to him. In school, he said he became a student of U.S. and military history and sought out relationships with veterans, seeking more stories and reflections on such an important time in their lives.
He said the greatest honor of his life was to preside over Army Spc. Michael R. DeMarsico II's funeral service. He said it was clear on their way back to North Adams how much DeMarsico's sacrifice mattered.
"I will never forget the drive home from Westover Air Force Base. Scores of people and emergency vehicles were visible on every overpass as we traveled North to Greenfield. Our trip over the trail found hundreds of people waving flags, saluting and simply being present in that moment from the Hairpin Turn to the Flynn Dagnoli Funeral Home," Anderson said. "Thousands from the northern Berkshire Community assembled to catch a glimpse of what was taking place, to support this Gold Star family and to be a part of this historic moment for North Adams. Why? Because this mattered. This moment in time, mattered deeply to us all."
He said he has attended countless services for veterans, and every one deeply affects him. Turning to the Veterans Memorial behind him, he said every single name on the wall matters.
"Every name on this wall, every name that carries a Berkshire beginning and a Berkshire upbringing, every name here matters," he said. "They matter to us, and today moments like this are happening in thousands and cities and towns and villages around the country ....To remember and to give thanks. All because this matters. This must matter. This has to matter to us."
Before the ceremony, the various veterans groups marched from the American Legion, anchored by the Drury High School band. Senior Vice Cmdr. Dennis St. Pierre of the American Legion opened the ceremony and served as master of ceremonies.
Mayor Jennifer Macksey also spoke, noting it was a significant day marking the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War and the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Locally, she remembered Northern Berkshire residents who gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country. She acknowledged that last year World War II veterans Bernard Calvi of North Adams and Erwin King of Clarksburg were identified and returned home.
"We have to remember all of those who have fallen. All of those who have given their lives for freedom for us to be here under this beautiful sky today," she said. "Their stories must never fade into history. They have become beacons that call us to value peace, justice and remember, always the price of liberty."
The Gettysburg Address was given by Jane Bergeron, an eighth-grade student at Drury and the recipient of the George O. Angeli Award.
Lenox
A small parade marched from the Church on the Hill to the War Monument as people lined the main street waving flags.
Dave Roche, vice-commander of the Lenox VFW Post 12079, said Memorial Day has "mixed messages." For many, it's a day of celebration, and for the veteran community, it's a day of remembrance.
"We have a different take on Memorial Day. We think about it more as a day of remembrance," he said, recognizing that ranks have shrunk, but it isn't necessarily a bad thing.
"On the other hand, we look back, and I would suspect that there's not a person in that group that didn't lose somebody that they knew in the service, and that person was probably between 20 and 25 years old," Roche said.
"They gave their life to the country, and that's what we think about today. Look what that person missed out on. They missed out on having a family. They missed out on having grandchildren. They missed 60 years, probably 60 years of a life could have been well lived, and that's what we think about."
Lt. Michael Atterbury, who enlisted in the Navy 25 years ago, said Memorial Day is not just a day off or the unofficial start of summer, "It's a sacred day."
"A time to honor those who laid down their lives for something greater than themselves," he explained.
"It's about the soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, the coast guardsmen, who stood on the front lines and never came home."
He explained that the Navy has a tradition of honoring shopmen lost by casting wreaths over the sides of the boats and taps are being played. Today, families will visit cemeteries, and place flags and flowers besides the caves of their loved ones.
"They will tell stories of loved ones gone too soon, children will hear about uncles, aunts, grandparents, and parents, heroes they may have never met, but owe their freedoms to," Atterbury said.
"And in homes throughout the country, an empty chair at the table will be a visible reminder that the cost of freedom is not free. To the Gold Star families, no words can ever fill the space left behind. Your strength, your love, and your resilience are nothing short of extraordinary."
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