Remembering on Memorial Day, without a parade

By Beth David, Editor

The parade had to be canceled, but that does not mean that the ceremony and rituals of remembering the fallen had to be canceled. The Town of Fairhaven still placed flags on the graves of veterans at town cemeteries, raised the big flag at the high school, and held a ceremony. The activities were recorded by the Cable Access depart­ment and is available on demand on the town’s YouTube channel via a link at www.FairhavenTV.com.

The video begins at the town’s Veterans Memorial at the corner of Middle Street and Route 6. Fairhaven Veterans Agent Brad Fish begins by explaining that this year’s activities will be different without a parade. He then read the names of the Fairhaven veterans who died this year.

Several members of the parade committee joined the ceremony. Flags were arranged in several places, as they have been at Riverside Cemetery in the past, to represent the Fairhaven residents who were killed in various conflicts starting with the Revolution.

“I’d just like to say there’s a lot of fear around now, especially among our veterans,” said George H. Brownell, SSG at Arms, VFW 2892 Fairhaven Post. “If you’re sitting home now or in a nursing home or assisted living, I’d like to offer you a salute and show you that we’re thinking about you every  single day and you will never be forgotten.”

Then he called the group to attention and saluted the veterans he hoped would be watching.

Wayne Oliveira, speaking on behalf of the Fairhaven Village Militia, which always takes part in the parade, and often fires muskets or the traveling cannon during the parade and at the ceremony at Riverside Cemetery, offered a “special remembrance” for FVM Commander Ellsworth (Ellie) Sylvaria, who died suddenly in March. 

Mr. Oliveira thanked Mr. Sylvaria for his years of service to the militia.

“When you heard the large cannon roar at the Riverside Cemetery, that was one of Ellie’s responsibilities, and he took a lot of pride in doing that,” said Mr. Oliveira. “We also want to thank him for his education, promoting history throughout the town as a re-enacter. We thank him and we remember him during these special times.”

Selectboard chairperson Charles K. Murphy, Sr., also spoke, taking on the traditional role of reading General Logan’s Order, which created the memorial day holiday, first called “Dedication Day” in 1868, after the Civil War ended in 1865.

Mr. Murphy re­called his father, who was a veteran. 

“I want to make sure we remem­ber all the veterans who have passed on this Memorial Day,” said Mr. Murphy.

In the order, Gen. Logan desig­nates the day “for the purpose of strewing flowers or otherwise decorat­ing the graves of com­rades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land.”

The order does not designate specific services, but asks for “fitting services and testimonials of respect.”

Town Administrator Mark Rees spoke from a different location, first acknowledging that “we are all living in some very difficult times.”

He said a lot of things had to be changed because of the COVID-19 emergency, including the parade.

‘I enjoyed walking with the selectmen and other town officials in that parade on an annual basis,” said Mr. Rees. “Mainly because it gave us an opportunity to recognize the service and valor of our veterans, particularly those from Fairhaven.”

He recalled his Uncle Dan who was killed in WWII in Iwo Jima, saying that although he obviously never met him, Memorial Day is an opportunity to “reflect on his life.” 

“But I just want to remember him and his sacrifices that he gave to his country, as well as the sacrifices of all veterans and their families as a result of … protecting our country and the life and liberties that we enjoy,” said Mr. Rees. 

As is tradition, the Fairhaven High School senior class president, Abigail Bernardo, read the Gettysburg Address, which was given while the Civil War was still raging. 

“Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived, and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of it, as a final resting place for those who died here, that the nation might live. This we may, in all propriety do. But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate — we can not consecrate — we can not hallow, this ground — The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have hallowed it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here; while it can never forget what they did here,” reads the address, although there are different versions. 

Mr. Fish also read the proclamation from Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker designating 5/25/20 as Memorial Day. 

“It is appropriate that all Massa­chu­setts citizens remember the bravery of those who gave their lives, so that their sacrifice and service is a reminder of the cost of our free­dom,” read Mr. Fish. 

Mr. Fish also read a Memorial Day prayer; Fair­haven High School student Alex Dasneves played taps while the video showed the big flag being raised at the high school.

Fairhaven Fire Chief Timothy Francis also spoke, saying that it was sad that there would be not parade.

“And you people are the real heroes,” said Chief Francis. “I’m honored to know and have many of you as friends . I know here in the fire service we have some veterans on the department with us. And even though we respond to emergency calls to all the people in town, you are the real heroes and my thoughts and my prayers are with all of you.”

Although no one spoke from the police department, officers, wearing masks, are shown by their cruisers with the lights on in the video.

Several other town officials made remarks, including, Firefighter Mark Mattessich; Assistant to the Town Administrator Vicki Oliveira; Harbormaster Timothy Cox; Town Clerk Carolyn Hurley. 

The video includes footage from last year’s parade. 

After the recording of his portion of the ceremony, Mr. Murphy said there was no choice but to cancel the public events, due to the pandemic. But, he said, it was important to pay tribute to veterans.

“What a difficult time,” said Mr. Murphy. “Even though we can’t have a parade, we can still have some unity about Memorial Day.”

After the recording was over, Mr. Brownell had a word for the many veterans who are in nursing homes. He said people should find a way to connect with them, and as soon as it is allowed, people should visit them.

As for wearing a mask, or the red, white and blue face covering he was wearing, he said: “Anything that saves one life stateside is worth the effort.”

The City of New Bedford also held services that were not open to the public. The videos are available for viewing on the city’s Facebook page and on the city’s Cable Access Facebook page, “New Bedford Cable Network.” The Fishermen’s Memorial Service from Seamen’s Bethel is also available for viewing on FB. Both videos are available on the city’s cable network page (http://173.9.65.75/CablecastPublicSite/?channel=1).

In Acushnet, the Fire Department lit up the red, white and blue lights on Ladder One and kept them on all day and night. The fire department also posted a video on Facebook of Brian Shanbrun playing taps at the Acushnet 9/11 Memorial.

The state of Massachusetts also held virtual ceremonies, that are available for viewing at https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-memorial-day-2020

To read General Logan’s orders in full, visit the US Dept. of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Adminis­tra­tion website. at https://www.cem.va.gov/history/memdayorder.asp

To read the full Gettysburg Address, visit the Our Documents initiative, a cooperative effort among National History Day, The National Archives and Records Administra­tion, and USA Freedom Corps. at https://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=false&doc=36&page=transcript

 

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