GREENFIELD — At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month 100 hundred years to the day, the city honored the end of World War I as well as other wars and those who fought in them.
The city’s annual Veterans Day parade wended from the middle school along Federal Street to the Veterans Memorial Mall on Main Street to a small ceremony and laying of a wreath.
Director of the Upper Pioneer Valley Veterans Services, Timothy Niejadlik, spoke about the anniversary of World War I as well as the role residents of Greenfield played in the Great War.
“We did not want to let this day pass without discussion of this area’s contribution to World War I,” Niejadlik said. “On March 29th 1917, Greenfield’s Company L was mobilized with three officers and 153 men. By August they became part of the 26th Yankee division and shipped overseas.”
He said the group was kept together, and fought in many of the same battles on the European continent.
“Numerous soldiers in the unit were recognized for bravery, like Lt. John Galvin awarded the Silver Star for gallantry and Sgt. John Courtney awarded the Silver Cross for heroism,” Niejadlik said.
Michael “Scoot” Aldrich of Greenfield gave the invocation and curated the display of World War I memorabilia on display in Veterans Mall. He spoke of veterans both alive and dead.
“We are here to honor those who served our country and continue to do so around the world,” Aldrich said. “Today we are reminded of the challenges that you and your families faced during and after your service. By doing so, future generations will remain safe in our country. We honor you and hold you in our hearts.”
Following the ceremony, people were invited to look at the display.
Residents and visitors to the town alike lined the streets to applaud and wave as the parade passed.
Greenfield High School Band marched and provided music to entertain onlookers as well.
Deb and Pat Kelly of Greenfield said they came to honor veterans, given that Deb Kelly’s father was a World War II veteran.
“That’s what brought us here,” she said. “We wanted to honor other veterans.”
Lori Crawford of Greenfield said she came to the parade to see her daughter march in the Greenfield High School Band.
“We also have veterans in the family. My father and grandfather were veterans and they were longtime Greenfield residents, too,” Crawford said. “My father fought in Vietnam and my grandfather in World War II. When my father was visiting here, we went to the memorial and he said he knew several of the people whose names were on it.”
Mary Williams of Shelburne said she comes to support the veterans, including her husband.
“He retired after 42 years,” Williams said. “He served in the Army and National Guard. A group of us, including my kids and grandchildren, come every year., We like to get flags from the Boy Scouts.”