Members of the Greenfield and surrounding communities marched down the city’s Main Street on Friday morning before gathering at Veterans Mall to honor veterans locally and nationwide.
“Your sacrifices as service members may not always be understood by those who do not wear the uniform, but they’ll never be forgotten,” Christopher Demars, director of the Upper Pioneer Valley Veterans’ Services District, told gathered veterans. “I’m honored to be among you.”
Demars was joined by Deputy Director Joshua Anderson, who previously served as a combat medic in the Army. Anderson, who served two tours in Afghanistan, spoke to the honor of getting to serve the country and celebrate all those who did.
“Less than 1% of the population of the United States joins any of the branches of the military,” he said. “That makes us a special breed of people. We have done things overseas and stateside that other people may not even begin to imagine. … We made great sacrifices to serve.”
Anderson said leaving his family to be a “force of peace” was one of the hardest experiences he has ever endured. Still, he shared with guests at the Veterans Day ceremony the “joyful moments” he experienced as well — including the ability to appreciate the beaches of Hawaii, the people of Afghanistan and the beauty of Germany.
“This allowed me to acknowledge and respect how other people on the opposite side of our world live, and to meet all walks of life,” he said.
Through his service in the army, Anderson received an education in emergency medicine that “far surpasses the knowledge” he believes he would have learned anywhere else. Now, he is proud to serve as deputy director of the Upper Pioneer Valley Veterans’ Services District.
“The procedures I was taught to perform under the supervision of the doctors I was placed under gave me the confidence I now have to be able to continue my efforts in helping people,” Anderson explained, “which is what I truly love.”
For the 14th consecutive year, Sunderland Elementary School students gathered outside the Town Offices on Thursday to observe Veterans Day. Students listened to Principal Ben Barshefsky and Upper Pioneer Valley Veterans’ Services District Veterans Service Officer Brian Brooks speak. Several editions of taps were played by their peers.
Brooks, who was deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq several times in the mid-2000s, encouraged students to reflect on the meaning of Veterans Day and why it is important to recognize those who volunteered to serve the country.
“For me, as a veteran, I feel a sense of pride for serving on behalf of something greater than myself, which is the United States of America.” Brooks told the students. “I typically pause and reflect on my service, as well as the service of my fellow veterans and the sacrifices they have made, but some may end up being the ultimate sacrifice.”
He emphasized the bonds veterans form while serving together, all under one flag and one mission.
“I was fortunate to have served with excellent Marines that I now call ‘brother’ during my enlistment, and it has resulted in lasting friendships to this day,” Brooks recounted. “While times may change and conflicts may change, what doesn’t change is the unwavering patriotism of the men and women who willingly serve our great nation. This being said, we should always be grateful to those who willingly sacrificed everything on our behalf.”
Speaking to the students, Barshefsky said Veterans Day is “more of a celebration,” but a moment of silence for those who gave their lives is important, with a brief explanation to the kids on why flags are flown at half-staff. Students were also shown a traditional flag-folding demonstration courtesy of Hale-Clapp Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3295 members Roger Huard and Cody Gebo.
After the ceremony, Barshefsky said it is hugely important that the school keeps holding Veterans Day ceremonies because of the impact it has on the students, as well as the positive community-building aspect it brings. Veterans and other speakers are invited to the school afterward to spend time with the students and staff.
“It is by far one of the most beautiful and impactful events we have for our students,” he said. “Veterans Day is obviously so much more than a day off. If we were to not hold the ceremony, we’d be doing an injustice to our students.”
Erving Elementary School celebrated military service members during a Thursday morning assembly. After being escorted one by one into the gymnasium, about 20 veterans were introduced with their name and military branch.
After a student performance of the national anthem and Principal Lisa Candito’s recitation of the state’s Veterans Day proclamation, Jeff Neipp, president of Vermont Chapter 1 of the Rolling Thunder advocacy group, looked upon the gathered veterans and emphasized the strength of their togetherness.
“I’ve been out of the service for quite a while,” he said, “but once you’re in the military, you always stay connected somehow, either through a celebration or a holiday, or family.”
He presented the school with a flag acknowledging prisoners of war and those missing in action — Rolling Thunder’s focus. Students then read and sang a series of remembrances before the veterans were invited back to the mic for closing comments.
Speaking on their level, Daniel Hammock explained to his young audience the value of the military.
“How many of you like … either puppies or kittens or have a favorite toy or favorite video game? Now, picture all these veterans,” he asked of the children. “There’s a thing called ‘freedom,’ and freedom is like a big umbrella. … All these veterans, whether it’s Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard or Air Force, they’re all protecting that big umbrella of freedom so that you can all do those things you like to do.”
Army veteran Gary Betters stressed that the community’s appreciation for military service should be appropriately reciprocated.
“I always used to say, ‘you’re welcome,’ but I got to thinking that wasn’t good enough,” he said of his response to receiving “thank yous.” “So I come up with something else that I use to retort: ‘You were worth it.’”