Doug Good, chaplain for the Greenfield Veterans Honor Guard, gives the invocation at the annual Memorial Day ceremony in Greenfield’s Park Cemetery on Monday. More than 120 people gathered for the event.
GREENFIELD – As the smell of charcoal grills lighting up wafted through the air on Memorial Day, a large group gathered at Park Cemetery in Greenfield to honor those who made carefree days like this possible.
More than 120 people gathered under sunny blue skies Monday for the 20-minute ceremony, a longstanding tradition hosted by American Legion Post 119.
Shirley Cleary attends the event at the cemetery each year to honor her late husband, Ronald, a Marine veteran who is buried there.
On Monday, the Greenfield woman sat and listened to Mayor Chuck Fewell and local VFW post commander Chuck Gill speak of the meaning of Memorial Day and the importance of honoring those who have served their country.
“Let us pause with respect and honor on this Memorial Day to remember those who fought, those who gave their life, and those who willingly stand ready today to do the same,” said Fewell, himself a Marine Corps veteran.
“We owe each of them the highest regard, respect and honor, and the assurance that their commitment to the nation’s freedom will never be forgotten.”
Jennifer Manning, who will assume command of American Legion Post 119 this summer, was thrilled to see such a large crowd turn out to recognize what Memorial Day is all about.
“Lots of people when they think of Memorial Day think of hot dogs and beer and barbecues, but it’s important to stop and remember those we have lost – those who have made the ultimate sacrifice so we can now enjoy these barbecues and other things that freedom brings,” she said.
Manning, who served as a military police officer in Afghanistan from 2009-2010, said it’s essential to honor those who have served and those who have died serving their country.
“I’ve lost a lot of good friends, and I believe Memorial Day is important to remember them and the sacrifices they made,” she said.
Cleary’s eyes brighten when she speaks of the husband she lost five years ago, a proud Marine who she said served his country well while stationed in Okinawa.
“We met the summer after he was discharged in December 1963,” she recalled fondly. “We were married 51 years until he passed five years ago. I come here (to Park Cemetery) every Memorial Day to honor him,” she said.
Fewell recognized people like Cleary’s husband in his closing remarks on Monday.
“It is today we say thank you. Thank you for the sacrifice you have made to this great nation. Thank you for everything you have given to our great country, and thank you for putting safety and freedom of others well in front of your own dreams and desires,” he said.
“Today we should each say ‘God bless’ to those who have given their lives to make America strong, and to those who remain prepared to fight for our country today.”
Monday’s ceremony featured a presentation of wreaths by the American Legion Auxiliary from Post 119, with wreaths marked with the name of every American war and conflict.
The Greenfield Veterans Honor Guard rounded out the event with the playing of Taps, the singing of the national anthem and a 21-gun salute. As the crowd dispersed, they were encouraged to take a small American flag to place on any veteran’s grave as they left the cemetery.
