NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Today's veterans can be a role model for public service and representing the values of democracy and freedom. 

 

That was the message from retired Army Lt. Col. Fred Lora on Monday as he urged his fellow veterans to speak out — and for the community to ask them about their experiences and listen.

 

 "I encourage you to talk about your military service in some small way today. Veterans connect Americans with the value of selfless service and inspire the next generation of volunteers to serve their country," said the Hoosac Valley High School graduate at North Adams' annual Veterans Day observances. 

 

"There are many benefits to military service, both personally and professionally, and you are the best person in your family and in your community to tell that story, I also encourage our schools to invite veterans to speak to students about the meaning of service, the positive contributions they made to our nation."

 

Lora said there are about 18 million veterans in the United States and fewer than 1 percent of citizens serves on active duty. But some 60 percent of those who enlisted did so because of friends and families who introduced them "to the values and the benefits of military service."

 

It was particularly important to invite veterans into schools to speak to students about their services, the Hoosac Valley School Committee member said. "They walked those same school hallways, they probably failed in to turn in that same homework on time, but enable our veterans to inspire children not to just consider joining the military, but to inspire them for public service, inspire them to join the fire department, the police department, become a teacher, run for mayor one day, veterans represent community service. ... 

 

"I think you'll find time and again when veterans return to their communities, that community service doesn't stop, it expands."

 

He asked the gathering at the Veterans Memorial to do three things: fly the American flag in recognition of the day and freedoms veterans have defended; think about those still overseas or deployed and support their families; thank a veteran and ask where they served. 

 

Lora also strongly encouraged veterans to look into their eligibility under the 2022 PACT [Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics] Act that expanded health benefits for veterans. 

 

Mayor Jennifer Macksey also encouraged citizens to engage with veterans, offering a lengthy list of veterans now working for the city. 

 

"Whatever their role, they carry forward the same principles that governed their time in service: integrity, accountability and, most importantly, community," she said. "It is those veterans, day by day, leveraged by their experiences on the front line that fortify our neighborhoods today. 

 

"As we join together to honor and respect all our veterans, let us not barely say thank you. Let us embody their spirit beyond the gratitude." 

 

The city's Veterans Service Officer Mitchell Keil was master of ceremonies; four members of Troop 38 of the Outdoor Service Guides led the pledge; VFW Cmdr. Ed Briscoe and American Legion Post 125 Jr. Vice Cmdr. Michael Lewis laid the wreath; the Drury High band played musical selections and Noah Wilhelm and Atlas Lescarbeau, taps; and the Rev. David Anderson of First Baptist Church gave the opening and closing prayers, noting that too often we give the title "hero" to entertainers and sports figures when a true hero is "one willing to give all for the benefits of others."

 

J. Michael Kennedy Jr. American Legion Post 152 in Williamstown held two flag-raising ceremonies on Monday morning.

 

The first was at the Sweetwood independent living community on Cold Spring Road. That was followed by the "official" town ceremony at Field Park at 11:11 a.m.

 

Post 152 has been making a stop at Sweetwood for years, but, in the past, it was wedged in between stops at several town cemeteries and Williams College's cemetery before finishing the morning at Field Park by 11 a.m. in time for the main event.

 

Robert Huberdeau Jr., who assumed the role of post commander earlier this year, said that routine made for a tight schedule and did not allow for the American Legion members to spend as much time as they liked with the residents at Sweetwood.

 

On Monday, the Post 152 members arrived at the independent living community well before the planned 10 a.m. ceremony and lingered after raising a new flag on the facility's flag pole, playing taps and joining residents in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

"In the past, they've invited us in here, and we haven't had time," Huberdeau said. "So I just thought I would change things up and do just this. Take some time, talk to the veterans, listen to their stories, find out what they went through. And then we're going to Field Park from here.

 

"We wanted to show [the veterans] the respect that is due them on Veterans Day."

 

The Legionnaires brought baseball caps for each of the dozen veterans currently living at Sweetwood designating his or her branch of the armed forces. And Sweetwood Director of Recreation Janice Paquette distributed certificates of appreciation from the facility and personal thank-you cards made by pupils at Hancock Elementary School.

 

Reaching out to young people and sharing stories of sacrifice is a point of emphasis for the Williamstown American Legion post.

 

Among recent the post's recent activities, it has taken a group of high school students to a naturalization ceremony, led a discussion for Williamstown Elementary School sixth-graders at the town's war memorial at Field Park and attended a concert and Veterans Day celebration at the elementary school last week.

 

In Pittsfield, a parade led to a packed Veterans Day ceremony at South Street Memorial Park. Each year, the Berkshire Veterans Coalition and the city join forces to honor service members of the past and present on this day.

 

"When those who go into service no matter what service, the Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard, and all the others, they actually give their lives to this country and most important is that what they do is for life, especially those who have gone into combat," said Lenwood "Woody" Vaspra, commander of American Legion Post 68.

 

"They carry that story, those experiences, all inside of them for many, many years and sometimes it never leaves them and usually it's for life."

 

Senior Vice Commander of VFW Post 448 Joseph DiFilipo was honored as the Berkshire County Coalition Veteran of the Year for 2024. The son of a World War II veteran, he enlisted in the Army in 1968 and was later assigned to Camp Howard in South Korea.

 

DiFilipo participates in all veterans ceremonies, including service member funerals and nursing home visits. He would have been playing the taps at this one if he had not been busy getting an award.

 

"He's like the Energizer bunny, he's all over the place," VFW Commander Arnold "Arnie" Perras said.

 

The honoree thanked the Berkshire Veterans Coalition and highlighted the importance of support from colleagues and family.

 

"It is only with their help I could earn this award and it is a team effort to do the many things we do for fellow veterans and the community," he said. "My family plays a big part in helping me do the things I do. I thank them for it. Without their help and support, it would not be possible to do this work. It is an honor to receive this award, and I am grateful for it."

 

Perras pointed out that the VFW Post 448 has performed 355 military funerals since forming a new Honor Guard in 2003.

 

"Several of those funerals were for members of our honor guard, another reason why we need new members in order to continue performing these funerals that our veterans have earned and so deserve," he said.

 

Mayor Peter Marchetti on this day especially thinks of his father, who served in the Army from 1965 to his honorable discharge in 1970.

 

"I was 2 years old when my dad was discharged. I don't have many memories of his time in the military. On occasion, my dad would share with me a photo but he kept his stories to himself and his time in the army to himself. I wish I had the opportunity to learn more about his years in the service and to understand that sometimes there were difficult situations to talk about, which I know is why he kept it from me," he said.

 

"As I said Saturday night at another veterans event, I feel robbed that I didn't get to know my dad in his full entirety. I want you all to know that you have my support always and I'm here to listen and help you. You should also know that you have fellow service members who are here with you as well together, we can all support each other in both good times and bad."

 

Marchetti said that now more than ever, we need to find ways to unify and stick together.  He pointed to his campaign slogan "One Pittsfield," which is a motto he lives by and leads by.

 

"We are so much stronger when we can find common ground, when we come together. No one should be left behind. We are a city that is stronger because we are all part of it," he said.

 

Director of Veterans Services James Clark said this year's proclamation from Gov. Maura Healey is a historic one, as it celebrates the addition of the HERO Act, which expands veterans benefits, ensures greater inclusivity, and modernizes services.

 

There are about 300,000 veterans living in Massachusetts who can benefit from the legislation.

 

The national anthem was sung by Kiwanis President Curtis Janey, taps was performed by Hank Morris, the Pledge of Allegiance was led by the Girl Scout Troop 64912, and the Pittsfield High School band performed patriotic music.