North Adams Recognizes Local VeteransBy Tammy Daniels, iBerkshires Staff
07:15PM / Friday, November 11, 2011 | |
 The American flag at the Veterans Memorial has been joined by six flags representing the armed forces and POW/MIA. |
World War II veteran Joe Cariddi was honored for his many years of community service at Friday's ceremony, including a citation from the House presented by his niece, state Rep. Gailanne Carddi. See more pictures here; parade participants here. |
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The city took time recognize the service and sacrifice of veterans and their families on Friday as the newest addition to the Veterans Memorial was dedicated.
Spearheaded by Korean War veteran Enrico "Rico" Gaspardi, who attained the rank of command sergeant major, six flagpoles were installed at the park on Union and Eagle streets to display the flags of each of the armed forces and POW/MIA.
It was a "spectacular idea," Mayor Richard Alcombright, said. "They were installed and raised not only to beautify this park but to remember all veterans living and dead."
The flags were whipping in the wind, flanking the American flag in the park's semicircle, except for one: the Army's pennant. That was left for Gaspardi to raise as a symbolic completion of the mission he conceived some two years ago.
The flag raising was part of the annual Veterans Day ceremonies that began with a parade from the American Legion to the memorial. The recent unseasonably warm days gave way to cold and rainy skies as paradegoers huddled in coats along Main Street.
The ceremonies were held at 11 a.m., slightly later in the morning than usual, said master of ceremonies Mark Sprague, chairman of the Memorial Day Committee, to coincide with ending of World War I on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month on this year that ends in 11.
While those serving were not forgotten, there was a focus on local connections, as Gaspardi and John Joseph "Joe" Cariddi were both recognized.
 Above, Col. Michael Hynes, a city native, also spoke on Veterans Day in 2006 and 2007. Left, listening to the 'Star-Spangled Banner.' |
Cariddi, a Navy veteran of World War II and former commander of American Legion Post 125 and former district commander, was honored for his years of service to veterans and the community. He has been involved for 39 years with the post's "Be Our Guest Christmas Day Dinner" and was instrumental in renaming State Street as American Legion Drive.
Cariddi has been presented numerous awards for his volunteer and Legion work, including the American Legion's Family Department of Massachusetts Joseph Conway Memorial Award.
The mayor presented him a citation from the city "for his longstanding, passionate and resounding commitment" and "to extend to him our heartfelt and sincere appreciation for his distinguished service to our community and to our country."
His neice, state Rep. Gailanne Cariddi presented him a citation from the House of Representatives and District 1 Cmdr. Dennis St. Pierre presented him the Senate citation in place of Sen. Benjamin B. Downing "for his valiant service and community contributions."
"Joe's been one of all veterans' mentors," said St. Pierre, congratulating his old friend.
The keynote speaker, Army Col. Michael Hynes, a 1977 Drury High School, said he learned here in North Adams to respect those who served through his schooling, his community and his family, particularly from his father, Richard Hynes, a Marine veteran.
"Thank you for your service, Dad," said Hynes. He recalled how his mother, Mary Lou Hynes, drove him to meet his recruiter the day he started his service 31 years ago, not knowing whether she would see her son again. She was giving a gift to the nation, like so many mother before and since.
Korean War veteran Enrico Gaspardi, who spearheaded the new flag installation. |
"Our veterans families do this every day," he said. "But today as we recognize our veterans, we recognize their families, who have stood beside our veterans and have sacrificed in their own way."
Hynes, currently at the Pentagon as executive assistant to the director, Defense Information Systems Agency, said he's always received kind words and thanks for his service when he's returned home.
"Believe it or not, that's all we're asking for is a simple thank you," he said. He'd thought over the years of what other line of work he could chose, what other endeavors he might try, but came up short.
"I could never find anything close to a more nobler or important task than the one that, in a very small way, is helping to preserve all that is dear to us and our way of life," said Hynes.
Alcombright asked if the nation is serving its veterans "as well as they have served us?"
"While the the thought of a world without war sounds ideal, let's all not forget that wars have liberated slaves, toppled terrorists and preserved our own democracy," he said. "Veterans have given us freedom, security, and the greatest nation on Earth and we must remember them, we must appreciate them and most simply we must thank them."
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