Canton marks return of Memorial Day events
By Candace Paris
Canton firefighters and veterans salute the flag during Monday’s Memorial Day ceremony. (Moira Sweetland photo)
On a picture-perfect, summer-like morning, residents gathered once again to remember war-time military veterans who were struck down, never to return home to Canton. This traditional Memorial Day event had not been held for two years because of the pandemic. Moderated by a breeze that ruffled the flags at Veterans Memorial Park, a hot sun shone on the proceedings as speakers recalled sacrifices made by men and women serving in wars spread over more than 150 years of American history.
Immediately following the traditional parade up Washington Street — also making its return after a two-year COVID postponement — Arafat Knight, veterans agent for the town of Canton, opened the ceremony by welcoming attendees and official guests. The national anthem, played by the Canton Legion band, preceded the invocation, reading of the Governor’s Proclamation, the placing of wreaths, and military-themed music played by the Canton High School band.
The roll call reading of Canton’s 77 fallen heroes was carried out by Frank LaBollita for the Civil War and World War I and by John Carrington for World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War and Iraq War. An Honor Guard salute ending with three rifle shots and the playing of “Taps” for the raising of the American flag from half-mast concluded this part of the event.
The guest speaker was Brigadier General Mark A. Merlino, deputy chief of engineers for Army National Guard Reserve Affairs and a senior software engineer at Raytheon. Merlino’s speech centered on three words: remember, sacrifice, and unity. He encouraged people to remember something about each war, starting with how the country began with the Battles of Lexington and Concord, challenges to “the tyranny of taxation.”
Merlino mentioned the sacrificed lives, the brutal warfare and bloody battles of the Civil War, World War I and the Korean War. Regarding World War II, he said, “We came in late, but it was the right thing to do.” During the Vietnam War, he said the average age of soldiers was only 19, also noting that the draft meant “a lot of folks didn’t have a choice about whether to fight.”
He said he lost some friends to the Iraq War and not always because of battle wounds, acknowledging that some service members sustained “invisible wounds,” including suicide.
William Souza, 7 (Moira Sweetland photo)
On sacrifice, Merlino said that fewer than 1 percent of Americans have served in the military and that those who have done so showed courage. He said that when a service member makes the ultimate sacrifice, it is a sacrifice made also by the family and community. “Let’s never forget their sacrifice,” he urged.
Unity is exemplified, Merlino said, on Memorial Day when Americans “come together in a show of support.” Underscoring the importance of agreement, he read a quotation from Ronald Reagan: “Freedom is never more than one generation from extinction. It is not ours by way of inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation.”
State Representative Bill Galvin described how the 77 fallen service members were “remarkable Canton residents who shared patriotism and love of country.” He sketched biographies of several individuals, stating, “It is so important that we honor those we have lost. They represent the very best of Canton.”
Select Board Chair John Connolly said that veterans always insist that our gratitude should go to the fallen. He said, “There’s no better way to thank a veteran than to protect fallen vets and their families.” Connolly encouraged everyone to spend the day reflecting on their service and “the precious gift they gave to us: freedom.”
World War II veteran Bob DeYeso read a poem about a veteran ending with the lines, “Our country is in mourning; a veteran died today.” A benediction followed, and Knight concluded the event by expressing thanks and acknowledgments to individuals and groups who contributed time and work to the event.
Additional event participants included Dan Teague, American Legion Chaplain Carin Weeks, state Senator Walter Timilty, the Canton Honor Guard and Sergeant at Arms, and Select Board members Michael Loughran, Chris Connolly, Lisa Lopez, and Tom Theodore.
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=87067
Posted by Candace Paris
on Jun 3 2022. Filed under News, Town Government.
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