Veterans pause for a photo at the Fairhaven VFW after the Memorial Day parade and ceremony on 5/30/22. Photo by Beth David.
By Beth David, Editor
“If it wasn’t for them, we couldn’t be us,” said keynote speaker of the Fairhaven Memorial Day ceremony Deven Robitaille, Commander Thomas E. Tuttle VFW Post #7239, Acushnet, speaking of those who serve in the military.
She told the crowd that she loved to see so many families there and hoped they were learning life lessons remembering those who went above and beyond to serve. It was a celebration, she said, but a “somber celebration” remembering those who died in service to the nation.
We should embrace the legacy of those who stood up for us.
Remember they are not just a number, or a set of dog tags, or a gravestone. They are people, “just like us.”
Do not let their valor go unrecognized, she said. Talk to veterans, remember their names, tell their stories.
She said we are all Americans, despite our differences, including race or sexual orientation.
Go home and hug your families, she said, and hug a veteran.
Mr. Brownell closed out the ceremony asking people to remember how our country began: by a rag tag group of farmers everyday workers taking on the biggest army in the world, and winning.
He said we “can’t help but feel compassion” for those people fighting for democracy and freedom now.
Fairhaven held a parade that marched along Main Street from Union to Riverside Cemetery, where the ceremony was held. The parade stopped at the high school for the raising of the 30×50” flag.
People of all ages lined the route waving flags, clapping and showing support for the veterans and other groups that marched.
At the cemetery, Vietnam Veteran George Brownell served as emcee; Select Board Chairperson Stasia Powers read General Logan’s Orders, which established Memorial Day in 1868 after the Civil War, first known as “Decoration Day”; reading of the governor’s proclamation by Veterans agent Brad Fish; the reading of President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg address by the Fairhaven High School senior class president Layla Almeida; taps and opening and closing prayers by Reb. Bette McClure; music by the FHS band.
Select Board Chairperson Stasia Powers said it was an honor and a privilege to read General Logan’s Orders.
“And I’m grateful for the opportunity to represent the community,” she said. “I’m happy to see so many people came out to see [the parade], so it was nice to see that.”
Fairhaven’s new Town Administrator Angie Lopes Ellison joined the parade and ceremony for the first time.
“I’m excited,” she said. “It’s a wonderful show of support for veterans and all that served, and the community turnout demonstrates that as well.”
This was the first time since 2019 that Fairhaven held a parade and ceremony with the public invited, due to the pandemic. The last two years, the town held a virtual ceremony that is available online.
Fairhaven has held an annual exercise since the very first “Decoration Day” in 1868.
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- These people know how to wait in style for the Memorial Day Parade to go by on Main Street in Fairhaven on 5/30/22. Photo by Beth David.
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- Martin Morris is all ready with his flag as he waits in front of Fairhaven High School for the parade to pass by on Memorial Day, 5/30/22. Young Mr. Morris said he likes all the flags all over the town. “I like the flags,” he said. Photo by Beth David.
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- Marines march down Main Street in Fairhaven during the Memorial Day Parade on 5/30/22. Photo by Beth David.
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- Fairhaven resident and Korean War Veteran James Leal smiles for the camera during the Memorial Day ceremony at Riverside Cemetery in Fairhaven on 5/30/22. Photo by Beth David.
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- Hell on Wheels: Veterans march and roll down Main Street in Fairhaven during the Memorial Day Parade on 5/30/22. Photo by Beth David.
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- Ellie Souza of Fairhaven waves the Stars and Stripes as Memorial Day Parade passes by on Main Street in Fairhaven on 5/30/22. Photo by Glenn C. Silva for the Fairhaven Neighborhood News.
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- People of all ages line both sides of the street waving the Red, White, and Blue as the Memorial Day Parade passes by on Main Street in Fairhaven on 5/30/22. Photo by Glenn C. Silva for the Fairhaven Neighborhood News.
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- L-R: William Cardoza, Andre L’Etoile, and Teddy Arruda from Cub Scout Pack 55 march in the Memorial Day Parade on Main Street in Fairhaven on 5/30/22. Photo by Glenn C. Silva for the Fairhaven Neighborhood News.
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- Deven Robitaille, Commander Thomas Tuttle VFW Post 7239, Acushnet, addresses the crowd at the Memorial Day ceremony at Riverside Cemetery in Fairhaven after the parade on 5/30/22. Photo by Beth David.
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- Vietnam Veteran George Brownell addresses the crowd at the Memorial Day ceremony at Riverside Cemetery in Fairhaven after the parade on 5/30/22. Photo by Beth David.
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- Braydon Barcelos salutes the marchers as the Memorial Day Parade goes by on Main Street in Fairhaven on 5/30/22. Photo by Beth David.
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