NORTHAMPTON — Groups as diverse as the men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces came out to honor them and participate in Northampton’s 2017 Veterans Day Parade.
On Saturday at 11 a.m., veterans from all five service branches of the military, veterans groups, nonprofits like Soldier On, the 10th Mass Volunteers in Civil War attire, the Northampton High School Marching Band, Boy Scouts, the Polish Heritage Committee, the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz and others marched through the brisk air from Lampron Park on Bridge Street to Pulaski Park on Main Street in acknowledgment of all veterans.
They were led by Florence’s VFW Post 8006 Color Guard, in full dress uniforms and bearing the star-spangled banner. Lining the street, hundreds of civilians and veterans alike — some wearing veterans’ caps for service in Iraq or Vietnam — waved American flags, greeting paraders and exchanging thank-yous.
“Everyone’s divided these days, but it’s still important that they (veterans) get some recognition,” said Savannah Walker, of Leeds, who watched the parade with her mother, Lorry. Walker was there to celebrate her father’s 20 years of service in the Coast Guard.
The parade took place on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, 99 years after opposing forces signed the armistice that ended World War I.
Shortly after arriving at Pulaski Park, the VFW Color Guard posted the Stars and Stripes, a Boy Scout from Troop 109 recited the Pledge of Allegiance and the crowd joined Northampton resident Brian Joyce in singing the national anthem. Representing the Veterans’ Council of Northampton, Nicholas Grimaldi served as master of ceremonies.
Brad LeVay, who fought in the Korean War, gave a speech that touched on the theme of unity — unity among civilians and veterans from all eras of war.
“This day is for coming together,” LeVay said. “Today, you are asked to put aside the concerns of everyday life, and give yourselves up in celebration.”
Christine Bassett, who served for more than 28 years in the Air Force and now works as a civilian at Westover Air Reserve Base, also spoke about unity and the importance of civilians coming together with service members to express gratitude.
“Every generation of Americans undoubtedly owes a debt of gratitude to those patriots of past and present,” said Bassett, who served in Iraq during Operation Southern Watch and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
“Those of us who care to honor American heroes, gather because we are honoring our sons and daughters, our mothers and fathers and our sisters and brothers,” Bassett said. “We must give them our support and advocate on their behalf, and on behalf of their families; to do less would diminish their service and sacrifice.”
Northampton Arts Council Director Brian Foote, who not only witnessed the parade but also helped organize some of the ceremonies at Pulaski Park, said virtually everyone has a personal relationship with a veteran.
“For anyone who has personal experience with a family member or a loved one that’s been in the armed forces, on Veterans Day it’s very important to acknowledge their sacrifice and celebrate them,” Foote said.
Mayor David Narkewicz, after issuing a proclamation honoring all veterans, presented the Massachusetts Medal of Liberty to Westhampton resident and Veterans’ Council member Timothy Daley. Daley’s uncle, Northampton resident John Joseph Daley, was killed in action on Nov. 11, 1944, while serving in France during World War II.
Daley, himself a veteran, applied for the Medal of Liberty, which is awarded to any Massachusetts service member who is killed in action or dies as a result of wounds received in action, and received it as John Joseph Daley’s next of kin.
“It’s part of our family heritage,” Daley said of the medal.
Daley said receiving the medal was very meaningful, not only as a formal recognition of his uncle’s sacrifice, but also because the ceremony took place exactly 73 years after that sacrifice.
The ceremonies concluded with music from the Northampton High School Marching Band, a gun salute from the 10th Mass Volunteers, taps from VFW Post 8006’s Sgt. Jack Miller and a benediction from the Rev. Francis Reilly of the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish.