GREENFIELD — The sound of “Stars and Stripes Forever” filled Main Street as veterans, their families and community members braved the cold temperatures and gusting winds Friday morning for the town’s annual Veterans Day parade.
People lined the sidewalks as the Greenfield High School marching band led a group of veterans from the Middle School to Veterans Memorial Mall, where the Upper Pioneer Valley Veterans’ Services District held a brief ceremony featuring a color guard, wreath-laying and several short speeches.
Veterans’ Services Director Timothy Niejadlik said there are numerous groups and individuals striving to help veterans in the Pioneer Valley, including the VFW, Rolling Thunder and the American Legion. He noted that a proposed ordinance will soon go before Town Council for approval that would allow property owners to donate money through their property tax bill to help local veterans.
Niejadlik also thanked a group of veterans from Home Depot who cleaned up the mall before Friday’s ceremony.
Chad Wright, associate director of Building Bridges, said the western Massachusetts initiative helps local veterans by serving a free hot meal every week. In Greenfield, the luncheon is held every Thursday at the Elks Lodge on Church Street, and has grown from about 15 attendees in January to between 60 and 70 today.
During the ceremony, he challenged attendees to follow the example set by veterans.
“We as Americans strive to have the highest attainable ideals, the safety and freedoms for all Americans is worth every effort and every sacrifice that can be made on a daily basis by all of us,” he said. “Thank you veterans, from the bottom of America’s heart.”
Maria Burge, a Marine Corps veteran and Precinct 6 town councilor, has seen the impact of Building Bridges first-hand over the nine months she’s volunteered for the organization.
“It is important for the community to show support and appreciation; it means so much to them,” she said. “I’ve been involved with the Building Bridges project for nine months, and I’ve seen how it’s grown and how much they need to be appreciated.”
Burge served in the Marines during the Vietnam era, and said she was one of few women at the time.
“There were very few of us. We couldn’t even go to the front lines, but when I graduated with my specialty in communications, it was just me. It was designated mostly for men to fight for the country, but we were a support system for them,” she said, adding she’s seen a lot change since then.
“I think the fact that it’s encouraged, so many more women to be part of this organization, because I know so many women wanted to be but there were a lot of barriers. I think the times have changed where the barriers have been removed; there are still some challenges, but I am very excited for the women today to be part of this all,” she said.
Craig Barton of Greenfield, an Air Force veteran who served from 1972-1976, was among those who watched the parade from Main Street and attended the ceremony at Veterans Mall. He said he comes downtown to watch the parade every year.
“It means a lot to create the freedom for everybody, that you can do what you want,” he said. “You fought for freedom, basically.”
Greenfield Fire Chief Robert Strahan was also among those watching the parade — both to honor local veterans and to watch his 15-year-old son perform in the band.
“We owe a lot of gratitude to our veterans. I know the firehouse has have several members — either past or present — who have been veterans,” he said. “It’s just to show support for this good day and enjoy the town a little bit.”