On a bright and sunny spring day, Memorial Day 2023 was observed in Great Barrington by two solemn services open to the public, first at 10 a.m. at St. Bridget’s Cemetery in Housatonic and then at 11 a.m. on the steps of Town Hall. The ceremonies were organized by three veterans groups—James A Modolo VFW Post 8348 of Great Barrington, Adams Budz VFW Post 8183 of Housatonic and Murphy Leary American Legion Post 298 of Housatonic. Due to declining participation among veterans in recent years, the groups decided to suspend the usual parade. Nevertheless, with Specialist Tom Gage from Post 8348 serving as Officer of the Day and Master of Ceremonies, the tradition of honoring the memories of men and women who have defended our country trough service in the U.S. military was movingly upheld by the veterans in attendance.
Selectboard member Eric Gabriel opened the presentations by recounting how he personally came to understand the meaning of Memorial Day…first as a kid who thought the parade was the highlight of his year, a chance to decorate his bike and cycle along brhind the marching bands, and later as a mature adult who came to recognize the sacrifice that veterans had made to protect our country.
The Veteran address was delivered by Lt Commander Charles Flynn of Post 298. The names of local veterans who had died within the last year were read by Lt Colonel John Bubriski of Post 8183 and Captain Ray Murray of Post 298, and the Chaplin’s Prayer was delivered by Major Jack Crance of Post 8183. A wreath was laid at the base of the monument in front of town hall.
The ceremonies were punctuated by stirring performances of “America” and “The Star-Spangled Banner” by the Monument Mountain Regional High School Band.
