The tropical rains washed away the traditional Memorial Day Parade in Mattapoisett on May 30, but not the ceremony remembering the veterans. That part of the day’s events was moved inside to Center School’s gymnasium where speakers gave voice to what lay on people’s hearts: honoring veterans.
Although the theme of this year’s celebration was World War II, veterans from the Civil War to present day conflicts were not left out.
Florence Eastman Post 280 American Legion hosts the annual celebration. Legion Commander Michael Lamoureux was the master of ceremony. He began the program with a prayer from legion chaplain and guest speaker Richard Langhoff. Langhoff read a prayer written by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, “Let our hearts be stout.”
In the prayer penned by FDR and read over the radio on D-Day, June 1944, he asked God to, “Lead them straight and true … men’s souls will be shaken … they fight to let justice rise … for us at home … in this hour of great sacrifice…”
This moving recitation was followed by Old Hammondtown School’s rendition of “America the Beautiful” and a few words from Representative William Straus.
“The challenge of Memorial Day is to recall what our country has done for us and what we can do for our country” said Straus. He told the crowd of more than 100 that Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., a Civil War veteran and summer resident of Mattapoisett, first spoke those famous words. Straus said Memorial Day was important to the cause of never forgetting “what was done to protect the country.” He ended his comments by saying, “Memorial Day is a time to remember and what we can do moving forward.”
Mattapoisett’s three selectmen were in attendance – Paul Silva, Jordan Collyer, and Tyler Macallister. Chairman Macallister spoke about the capability of the military to orchestrate massive troop movements with precision using only the most rudimentary communication tools. He talked about the scope of D-Day with 130,000 troops being deployed to Omaha Beach with support of 23,000 paratroopers dropped behind enemy lines, 10,000 aircraft overhead, and 7,000 ships at sea.
“Today we have satellites,” said Macallister. “They had Morse Code and radios.”
Barry Denham, Tri-Town Veterans’ Agent and member of the American Legion, rose to ask other veterans to come out in support of the legion.
“We need young veterans to come forward,” said Denham. “We are having a tough time maintaining the legion. The legion has given 100 years of service to Mattapoisett. We don’t want to see it close.”
The Old Hammondtown School Band then played a rousing rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and they were followed by ORRJHS student Luke Couto reciting to perfection the Gettysburg Address.
Langhoff rose again to give his remarks.
He reminded the audience that Memorial Day began after the Civil War. He then waxed poetic, saying of those who had given the ultimate sacrifice: “Because of them our lives are free. When they heard the call of our country they answered. No weariness of march, or watch, or horror in the battlefield could stop them…” He said those who had perished would not want our pity but our pride and asked all to “pledge ourselves anew to our patriotic duty.” He then read the names of four Gold Star residents who had died in WWII – Romeo Farley, Robert Atsatt, Allen Bowman, and Robert Dexter.
Around the room, young and old alike spoke of the importance of Memorial Day.
“Today is special to me because eight years ago I lost my father and last year my mother,” said Selectman Silva. He said his father was a recipient of the Purple Heart, as well as the Silver and the Bronze Star.
Macallister shared, “My two grandfathers were in World War II…. A lot of people did difficult things so I could be here today.”
Macallister’s grandfathers were both in the Air Force and both served in the Pacific theater.
Denham was silenced by emotion when asked what the day meant to him, instead displaying a program from a ceremony in Fairhaven, part of which honored his young cousin, Lance Corporal Matthew Rodriguez, USMC, age 19, killed in Afghanistan in December 2013.
Legion member Ray Andrews said, “I get goose bumps … the opportunity for people to remember those who gave the ultimate, not just from Mattapoisett but throughout the country.”
ORRHS juniors Zecharia Mooney and Davis Mathieu, part of the Boy Scouts contingent who were on hand to assist the Legion members, also understood the relevance of never forgetting. Mooney said the day meant “giving respect to all the veterans for what they did.” Mathieu said, “It’s a day to remember, to honor those who fought and died, gave the sacrifice … they stood up for those who couldn’t.”
Mattapoisett’s WWII veterans numbered 250, of which six were women.
Outside as the rain subsided, two small children frolicked in a puddle running back and forth with joy only tiny tots can achieve – a further reminder of why Memorial Day continues to have significance 148 years after its inception.
By Marilou Newell