Residents came together in a big way Monday at the town’s annual Memorial Day observance — held for the first time at the Veterans Memorial.
The day included parades, ceremonies at town cemeteries, a speaking ceremony, and a cookout.
Veterans Services Officer Bruce Siegel said that Memorial Day is a day “to honor the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.
“Today, we honor not just the heroes who fought on distant shores but also those who served at home alongside their comrades, all of whom embody the spirit of courage and selflessness. We’re here today to recognize and honor those who never came home; the brave men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice to serve, protect, and defend our great nation.”
Select Board Chair Phil Crawford said he was honored to be speaking on such an “important” occasion.
“We’re here today to honor the American soldiers who died while in military service, to remember the sacrifices that they and their families have made in honor of duty, loyalty, and country,” Crawford said. “From our founding Revolution to today’s Global War on Terrorism, more than one million men and women in the Armed Forces have sacrificed their lives while defending America in time of war so that we can live in freedom.”.
Following his opening remarks, Siegel led attendees in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. The high school band followed with the National Anthem. Father Paul Ritt of Ava Maria Parish gave the invocation, saying a prayer for all “who have given their lives in service to our country.”
Middle School Student Council President Ashtyn Haney read the official Commonwealth Memorial Day proclamation. A middle school 5th-grader, Taylor White, read the Gettysburg Address. She volunteered to read it because she thought it was “meaningful. People are people, and they are the same as you. You shouldn’t hurt other people because we are all equal.”
Fifth-graders Shauna Bates and Siena Coccoluto read the honor roll listing the names of Lynnfield veterans who died in battle from the Revolutionary War to the Vietnam War.
“It’s important to honor the soldiers who fought and died for our freedom,” Coccoluto said.
Bates said she felt it was important to recognize “the soldiers who fought for our freedom and shaped our country.”
Sen. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn) was unable to attend but submitted a statement, which was read by Siegel.
Crighton said he is proud that both branches of the legislature passed budgets that support veterans and Gold Star families.
“The freedoms and democracy that we enjoy today are afforded to us because of the courageous individuals who laid down their lives in service of our nation,” Crighton said. “We must continue to ensure that their sacrifice is never forgotten.”
House Minority Whip Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) read a letter sent by President Abraham Lincoln to Mrs. Bixby in Boston in 1864, saying, “Its sentiment transcends the ages and is what each of us here today owes to those we honor.”
The letter referred to “the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.”
“Every time I read or hear the words ‘to have laid such a costly sacrifice upon the altar of freedom, ‘I am deeply moved,” Jones said.” Today serves as a poignant reminder that our freedom is an expensive commodity.
“The men and women we honor today sacrificed all their tomorrows so that each of us could enjoy a lifetime of todays. We can never forget our fallen veterans, and we must always strive to honor them not only on Memorial Day but every day.”
Ret. Brig. Gen. John Driscoll delivered the keynote address.
“The brave women and men we honor today in our hearts and minds remind us how lucky we are to be grateful to live in the land of the free. America will survive as long as we, as a country, take time to remember those who gave their utmost devotion to ensure we remain free. Remember that America’s greatness was won by women and men with courage and knowledge of their duty and with a sense of honor in action.”
High school band members Max Lin and Tyler Ing played Taps sandwiched around an American Legion Post 131 Rifle Squad rifle salute.
Siegel closed by saying he was thankful to all who helped make this year’s Memorial Day celebration successful, especially his wife, Candy Orlando.
After that, attendees crowded onto the Town Common for an old-fashioned family cookout.
Lynnfield native Richard Davis, a 1965 LHS graduate, his wife, Claudia Davis, and their 8-year-old golden lab, Mason, were camped out on a bench enjoying the festivities. He was commissioned as a first lieutenant after graduating from Norwich University and served three years in Germany as a signal corps officer for an eight-inch artillery battalion.
“Being a veteran, Memorial Day means a lot to me,” Richard Davis said. “I’m thankful for this country, for the freedom we have and the men and women who sacrificed for it. This is a great country and we’re going to keep it this way.”
