GREENFIELD — Flags waved, passing vehicles’ horns honked and signs were held proudly as about two dozen veterans and civilians stood on the Greenfield Common Wednesday to celebrate veterans near and far.
The city canceled its official Veterans Day parade and ceremony because of the pandemic, but 88-year-old veteran Tom Travis, who organized Wednesday’s event, said he wasn’t going to let that stop him. He told the small crowd before the informal ceremony started that he had planned to be there by himself, if no one else showed up. He had contacted Greenfield Police Department to tell officers about his plans and said he got the go-ahead, as long as everyone practiced COVID-19 safety.
“I wasn’t going to let them ask me to leave,” said Travis, who served during the Korean War. “We have a right to be here. This is for all of the men and women who have served their country. They deserve this, and I couldn’t let a pandemic stop it.”
Travis went on to say that because so many veterans sacrificed for others’ freedoms, it was important to him to honor and thank every veteran, living and dead.
“These are trying times, but this is still the greatest country in the world,” he said. “So many have sacrificed their time, comfort, strength, health and lives. They did it for their friends, families and for us.”
His short speech was followed by a salute, the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence.
“This is the patriotic thing to do, and I’m very patriotic,” Travis said. “I’m so proud to have served.”
Travis said he contacted Thomas Salter, a former U.S. Marine who served during Vietnam, asking him to email and call others to let them know about the gathering.
“This is such an important day,” Salter said. “It’s important to remember those who served our country.”
U.S. Army veteran Jack Sanborn of Shelburne Falls said he was there because not only is he a veteran, but so are many of his friends.
“People forget us all too often,” he said. “We can’t forget each other.”
Sanborn said it was disappointing to hear Greenfield and other Franklin County towns were canceling their celebrations, but he was happy to hear that Travis organized an event, even if it was much smaller than usual.
“I’m not sure why people can go out and demonstrate in the streets, but we couldn’t have our usual celebration,” he said. “But this is good.”
Mike Aldrich, a local re-enactor, arrived in uniform. He said he had planned to stand on the common when he ran into Travis and the others and decided to join them.
“I’m a veteran, so I know how important this day is,” he said. “It’s been a disappointing year because of the pandemic, but we’ll have a parade and ceremony next year.”
Fred Lowenthal of Amherst said he was there to “support our great vets.” He said those who at one time or another put on a uniform and acted selflessly deserve to be honored.
“I want to honor those living veterans,” he said, “as well as the ones who passed away under our flag.”
Reach Anita Fritz at 413-772-9591 or afritz@recorder.com.