Members of the Republican Lodge of Masons place American flags on Federal Street across from Greenfield’s Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew on Saturday morning. Geoffrey Bryant hands a flag up to William Kimball, who is a member of the Greenfield Fire Department and was chosen for ladder duty.
Members of the Republican Lodge of Masons place American flags on Federal Street across from Greenfield’s Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew on Saturday morning. Geoffrey Bryant hands a flag up to William Kimball, who is a member of the Greenfield Fire Department and was chosen for ladder duty.

GREENFIELD — American flags have arrived on the streets of Greenfield in time for Memorial Day, thanks to members of the Republican Lodge of Masons.

“We put up about 75 flags on Saturday morning and we had quite the turnout,” Jeff Gordon, secretary of the Republican Lodge, said. “A number of Masons and family members were there to help out with the process and a lot of people stopped by to thank us for what we were doing.”

According to Chair Charles “Chuck” Vassar, Greenfield’s Masons have been putting up flags for veteran-related holidays for about 18 years. To him, it’s not only a show of patriotism, but a continuation of the legacy of the late Derwood “Woody” Tyler, a previous master and very active member of the Masonic Lodge. Tyler began this tradition years ago before his death.

The Masons showcase their flags for numerous occasions, of which Gordon named Memorial Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day and 9/11. Every few years, a new batch of flags is required to replace those that are weathered. While they are put up with said holidays and ultimately taken down once each holiday has come to an end — to protect them from being ruined — the flags still face a fair amount of usage.

To continue their Memorial Day tradition this year, the Masons needed to buy new flags. With that came the need for fundraising, which looked a little different than in most years as a result of a lack of allocated funds, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. They would usually hold fundraising events, like spaghetti dinners, Vassar explained.

For the first time, according to Gordon, the Masonic Lodge put a plea for funding in the Greenfield Recorder. Thanks to Franklin County residents who answered their call for donations, along with the money that was left in their account, he said the Masons were able to raise $3,100 to buy new flags.

In addition to the practice of placing flags around town, Gordon also mentioned that the Masons are being encouraged by the Grand Mason to march in the annual Memorial Day parade in Hatfield. The parade is simultaneously celebrating Memorial Day along with Hatfield’s 350th anniversary. Gordon said as many Masons as possible plan to attend.