‘Saying thank you matters’: Franklin County ceremonies recognize Veterans Day

Residents across Franklin County took a step back from their daily routines on Tuesday and Wednesday to reflect on the sacrifice and service behind Veterans Day.

Sunderland

In Sunderland, the elementary school’s students and teachers took a short field trip.

A few streets away at Town Hall, the kids, faculty, residents and members of the Hale-Clapp VFW Post 3295 gathered in a circle inside the memorial honoring veterans for the 18th annual Veterans Day ceremony.

“Why do we do this every year? We do it because we never want to forget the people who have made sacrifices to keep our country safe and to protect the freedoms we enjoy — these people are called veterans,” Sunderland Elementary School Principal Ben Barshefsky told the students. “They are our grandparents, our parents, family members, neighbors and friends.”

To illustrate the holiday’s close ties, Barshefsky read the names of grandparents, parents, spouses and other loved ones of Sunderland Elementary students, teachers and staff who served in the military. He told the elementary schoolers that the ceremony matters because “saying thank you matters.”

“We want our veterans to know that we recognize their service and appreciate what they have done,” he said, “and we will continue to remember them.”

Brian Fitzgerald then took the podium as the guest speaker. Over his 23 years in the United States Marine Corps, he served overseas in Japan, Iraq and Afghanistan, trained other Marines, and earned several accolades.

“When I served in the military, I quickly learned that I was part of something much larger than myself,” Fitzgerald said. “You wear the uniform that represents a promise — a commitment to protect and defend, but when that uniform comes off, the military service ends, but the promise does not.”

Although Fitzgerald retired from the military in April of 2025, his commitment to service continued. He told the crowd he found the “shared purpose” and “deep sense of camaraderie” he experienced overseas at home serving his community.

“Whether it be coaching or mentoring young athletes, volunteering my time for events or helping someone out, giving back to the community isn’t just a nice thing to do; it’s a continuation of our service that helps strengthen our communities,” Fitzgerald said. “Service is not a chapter in a history book that we close when we leave the military formation — it’s a lifelong calling.”

As trumpets played taps, members of the VFW Post lowered the American flag to half-mast before the crowd quieted for a moment of silence. Barshefsky dedicated this section of the ceremony to Frank Pydych, a Frontier Regional School graduate, United States Army veteran and longtime VFW Post member who passed away in July.

“Part of it is students having the opportunity to pause and think about why we have a day off,” Barshefsky explained. “We owe it to our students, we owe it to our community and those who have served to hold this ceremony.”

To close the commemoration, VFW Post members Ray Billiel and Roger Huard performed a flag folding.

Greenfield

In Greenfield, Mayor Virginia “Ginny” Desorgher thanked veterans for their service and told community members at the city’s parade and ceremony that it was their duty to honor the service of veterans.

“Today we reflect on what it means to sacrifice for one’s country,” Desorgher said. “We recognize those who answer the call in times of conflict, and in times of peace, who accepted great risk and endured hardship that most of us can only imagine.”

Desorgher said that it was up to the community to recognize the sacrifices of its veterans and support them, as well as support the community they served to protect.

“To our veterans, we owe a debt that is impossible to be paid. Our responsibility is to try, by honoring your service, caring for you and your families, and providing the support you’ve earned,” Desorgher said. “It also means we have a duty to live up to the ideals that you fought for, to be engaged citizens, to safeguard democracy and to build a community worthy of your sacrifice.”

Chris Demars, director of the Upper Pioneer Valley Veterans Services District, shared stories of veterans he has worked with over the years, and said that veterans from the Pioneer Valley had served in bunkers where nuclear bombs were tested in the Pacific, had been among the 316 survivors of the sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis and served their county in ways most community members did not know.

“Some of these veterans might be out here in the crowd today, and you just don’t know it. They may never tell you these stories. Some like to tell stories; some don’t like to tell stories,” Demars said. “For them, it was just a chapter in their life, and most of their life has been in this community.”

The population of veterans gets smaller every year, Demars said. He urged veterans to join groups such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Marine Corps League, Military Order of the Purple Heart and others, and said that through these organizations they can continue their service.

“They’re the ones that help us get benefits. The ones that help us stop the government from stopping benefits,” Demars said. “When there are changes going on with the VA, when they’re gonna take some benefits away, it was these groups that stepped up, went to Congress, went to the Senate, went to the president and said, ‘You’re not doing that’.

“For those people that are part of those organizations, I say thank you,” Demars continued. “You’re still serving your fellow veterans and your country for doing that.”

Greenfield ended its ceremony with a presentation of a wreath by Army veteran Bill Phelps, and a performance of taps and the national anthem by the Greenfield High School Marching Band.

Montague

Right as the parade and ceremony in Greenfield came to a close, the annual Veterans Day ceremony in Montague started at Soldiers Memorial Park on Avenue A. 

Remarking that it was a warm day compared to some days the area has recently experienced, Montague Selectboard Chair Richard Kuklewicz welcomed the 25 or so people in attendance, thanking them for coming together to recognize the men and women who have served in the armed forces.

Before starting his remarks, Kuklewicz took time and recognized two members of the Soldiers Memorial Committee, Al Cummings and Christopher Boutwell of Montague, “for their continued dedication to honoring our veterans, and preserving this important tradition.”

“We are fortunate to have organizations and individuals in our community who remain so committed to those who have served,” Kuklewicz said, also thanking the Montague Elks Lodge. “Most importantly, to the veterans who are here today with us, thank you for your service.”

Kuklewicz acknowledged that while Veterans Day falls on Nov. 11 every year, the community, state and country at large should work toward thanking veterans every day.

“Every year on Nov. 11, we pause to recognize those who answered the call to serve our nation,” Kuklewicz said. “Some served during times of war, and others during times of peace. Some served far from home, while others served in the United States. But all made a commitment to something greater than themselves. This year, as our nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, I think Veterans Day takes on a little added significance.”

Prayers were led by members of the Montague Elks Lodge, with Exalted Ruler of the Montague Elks Allie Cooke delivering an 11-bell salute.

“You have heard the tolling of 11 strokes,” Cooke said. “This is to remind us, as Elks, the hour of 11 has a tender significance. Wherever Elks may roam, whatever their lot in life may be, when this hour falls upon the dial of night, the great heart of Elkdom swells and throbs.

“Living or dead, Elks are never forgotten, never forsaken,” Cooke continued.