By Amelia Tarallo
Hometown Weekly Staff
Each Memorial Day, residents of Walpole meet on the town common to remember, and honor, local veterans who gave their lives for their country. While the past year has brought on some unique pandemic-related challenges, the passion and dedication of organizers ensured that this year’s ceremony went off without a hitch.
“I’m quite certain I can speak for everyone here when I say how wonderful it is to be back on the common again,” said Rita Mienscow, Air Force veteran and chair of the Walpole Veterans Services Committee. Mienscow gave a brief rundown of the day’s ceremony, as well as an introduction to new Walpole Veterans Services Committee Director Mark Bryson.
Bryson gave a speech about the meaning of Memorial Day. “The half-staff position represents the more than one million men and women who gave their lives in service for their country,” began Bryson. “We resolve to not let their sacrifice be in vain, but to rise in their stead and continue the fight for liberty and justice for all.”
The invocation for the ceremony was recited by the Veterans Services Committee Vice-Chair David Ferrara. “We have gathered here in the town of Walpole to remember all the men and women that have died in service for their country, and the direct impact it has had on this town for the loss of its citizens. We admire them for their courage in the face of great odds as we remember their sacrifices and those of their family and friends with deep gratitude,” said Ferrara, a Marine Corps veteran.
Attendees watched as the flag was raised and then listened as Rich McCarthy read the proclamation from Governor Baker marking the day as Memorial Day. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by local Boy Scouts, while the National Anthem was sung by Jeanne Gagne.
State Representative Paul McMurtry gave a speech about the sacrifice of veterans. “Even as we emerge from a global pandemic, the town of Walpole, as it always has, acknowledges the service and sacrifice of fallen soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines, and the unimaginable loss to their families. Each of us lives freely because of selflessness and the ultimate sacrifice of those brave men and women,” stated McMurty.
Retired Colonel Robert Notch gave a speech about Massachusetts men and women who have served during the most difficult of conflicts - and the importance of celebrating Memorial Day. “Memorial Day commonly signifies the beginning of summer. Many celebrate time away and enjoy it with friends and family. We may hear the words 'happy Memorial Day,' and somehow it gives us pause and even rings shallow. But we should enjoy the beginning of summer, especially this year with the lifting of COVID restrictions. But within that, I also ask that we find the time to remember the fallen. Freedom for all of us to give our lives in the pursuit of happiness is exactly why those we are honoring today were serving,” said Colonel Notch.
Donna Summers, an Army veteran and Veterans Services Committee member, read “The Fallen,” a poem by Duncan Campbell Scott. Summers also shared the unfortunate news that Robert Moody, a World War II veteran, had passed away on Sunday. Moody was known for reading the names during the ceremony.
Henry Scanzio and John Robinson read the roll of local veterans who had passed away since the last Memorial Day, ensuring that their names were heard by all. The reading was then followed by a gun salute and the playing of Taps. A wreath of flowers was placed at the veterans memorial. The regular ceremony concluded with a benediction from David Ferrara.
The ceremony closed by honoring the work of Jon Cogan, who served as Walpole's Veteran Services Officer for the last ten years. Cogan stepped down from his position, handing over the job to Mark Bryson.
On Memorial Day, the pride for local veterans is overflowing in Walpole - and all over the country. Each of these warm, solemn local ceremonies represents but a sliver of the peace and freedom that American men and women in uniform have given us by sacrificing their own lives.
