MEMBER SIGN IN
Not a member? Become one today!
         iBerkshires     Berkshire Chamber     MCLA     City Statistics    
Search
North Adams Welcomes Soldier Home
By Jack Guerino, iBerkshires Staff
03:12PM / Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Print | Email  


NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Residents welcomed home local soldier Sgt. 1st Class Michael McCarron, who has returned from his fourth tour overseas with the Army Reserve, during Wednesday's Veterans Day ceremony.

The rainy weather lead to the cancellation of the annual march to the Veterans Memorial, but the ceremony that commenced inside American Legion Post 125 had as much enthusiasm as a full-fledged parade.

This day of thanks and remembrance was amplified by the return of local hero McCarron, who followed a police escort into the city Tuesday night after returning from Afghanistan.  

McCarron said he is glad to be home and was surprised he was able to return so early and attend Veterans Day in his home town. He also was overwhelmed by the billboard with his name on at the entrance to the city on Route 8, and was honored to be a guest of honor at Wednesday's event.

"This is always a great thing, and it has always been great to meet with the mayor and be recognized for so many things," he said. "It is fantastic."

McCarron said he was pleased to have the opportunity to speak to so many other veterans who were present at the ceremony.

"You recognize what other people have been through because every soldier has a story and none of them are the same," he said. "I have met a lot of people from World War II and it really is amazing. You should always stop and take time to talk with them and listen to their stories."

He is an automotive instructor at McCann Technical School, and sent a video congratulations from Afghanistan to this students at last spring's graduation.

McCarron's prior three tours were in Iraq. He said he served in a Sustainment Brigade in Afghanistan that helped stabilize bases and supply soldiers with what they needed to complete missions.

He added joining the military allowed him to be part of something bigger.  

"It's being a part of something that is bigger than you; that's why I am in and this is why I serve," he said. "It's a small world, and you see it in the news and you think it is a world away, but the next thing you know are there and it all affects everybody."

Sgt. 1st Class Michael McCarron is applauded at the Veterans Day ceremonies at the American Legion. See more photos from the event here.

McCarron thanked his wife, Marie, for taking care of everything at home and said he does not anticipate another deployment. But he does plan to help younger soldiers.  

McCarron received recognition from keynote speaker James Brosnan, superintendent of the Northern Berkshire Vocational School District and who retired as a colonel from the Army Reserves in 2007 after a 36-year career that included tours in Kuwait and in Iraq, where he was deployed with McCarron in 2003.

Brosnan said more than 48 million veterans from 1775 to those currently fighting believed in freedom.

"Veterans are our nations heroes ... they served us assuring our safety and our freedoms," Brosnan said. "They served in the most isolated and remote areas of the globe, sacrificed life and limb on our behalf, and through it all did it with pride and a sense of accomplishment that built this nation, grew this nation, and will maintain this nation in the future."

Mayor Richard Alcombright also welcomed home McCarron and thanked all those who are serving and have served in the military.

"Our veterans draw from many generations, from many backgrounds, they fought on the battlefield, at sea, and in the sky," the mayor said. "In doing so, they all contributed to the character and the greatness of our country ... they responded in extraordinary ways, and they rose to their nation's call because they wanted to protect the freedoms under which we all live."

After the ceremony, McCarron's family and friends circled around him and the Welcome Home Committee provided him with a plaque.

After the barrage of hugs and handshakes, McCarron asked everyone to take a moment of silence to recognize the many service members who did not get to return home.

"One of our jobs that we do not enjoy was to see those service members off that weren't able to come home," he said. "You might not think that we are doing any combat roles over there, but there is a lot going on, and it is a very dangerous place. We had to send a lot of people home." 

0Comments
More Featured Stories
NorthAdams.com is owned and operated by: Boxcar Media 102 Main Sreet, North Adams, MA 01247 -- T. 413-663-3384
© 2011 Boxcar Media LLC - All rights reserved