WORLD WAR II VETERANS Gordon Ivester and Don Hyer and other veterans from “The Greatest Generation” were honorary parade marshals on Memorial Day. (Bob Turosz Photo)
By BOB TUROSZ
NORTH READING – In North Reading and a thousand other small towns across the nation on Memorial Day, traditional observances took on added poignancy this year, the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. Now, in the summer of 2015, eight decades after saving the world from tyranny, their ranks regrettably thinned by time, it was time for these veterans to accept the gratitude of a world that has enjoyed the fruits of their hard won victory.
Despite the clouds that rolled in shortly before North Reading’s parade stepped off from the common, townspeople still lined the route and applauded as veterans from World War II, Korea and Vietnam motored past, paying tribute to Americans from all generations, including the “Greatest” and all walks of life who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country.
The parade stepped off from the common and included the usual hordes of children from all the various scouting and sports organizations, church floats, youth organizations, antique cars, town officials marching on foot, including Town Administrator Michael Gilleberto who pulled his two young sons, Noah and Max, in a little red wagon the entire route. There was also a full contingent of military vehicles and fire department apparatus.
“WE’LL SEE MOMMY SOON.” Town Administrator Michael Gilleberto marched the Memorial Day Parade route with his two sons, Noah and Max, in tow. (Bob Turosz Photo)
After completing the parade route, the participants returned to the common where North Reading Minit and Militia Sgt. Geoff Bemiss read the three “Rolls of Honor” – the names of the World War II veterans who served as marshals for this year’s parade and the names of the many other WWII veterans still living in town but who could not make the parade. And the saddest list of all, which seems to grow longer every year, the names of all veterans who have passed away since the last Memorial Day.
In his remarks as speaker of the day, Selectmen Chairman Robert Mauceri said it is most fitting the town honor its remaining World War II veterans on the 70th anniversary of the end of that bloody conflict. Of the 16 million men and women who served there are only some 860,000 living today and every year the number decreases. “It is very fitting that we acknowledge their sacrifice and the defeat of our enemies and, upon their return, their contributions to making America the greatest nation on earth.”
“They have earned the title as ‘The Greatest Generation’ and we should honor them as such. During the war, 400,000 servicemen and women made the ultimate sacrifice and another 671,000 were wounded. It is hard to imagine what a soldier had to endure in the theater of war,” Mauceri said.
Rev. Rachel Fisher of the Aldersgate United Methodist Church gave the invocation and the benediction and Selectman Vice Chairman Michael Prisco read the Memorial Day proclamation from Gov. Charlie Baker. The High School Band under the direction of Eric Forman played “Thunderer” by John Philip Sousa and “Military Escort” by Harold Bennett. Musket volleys were fired by the Minitmen and Ashtyn Parker-McDermott and Matthew Paolucci from the High School Band played “Taps” while wreaths were laid on the veterans’ memorials on the common.
This is the 40th year the town’s Minitmen have been in charge of the town’s Memorial Day parade. Observances started at 7 a.m. with graveside ceremonies held in each of the town’s three cemeteries.
