NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Brayton Elementary School students and faculty honored veterans past and present during their Memorial Day ceremony.
After fourth-graders led the Pledge of Allegiance, the national anthem and went through the history of Memorial Day on Friday morning, speakers were invited to the stage to explain what Memorial Day means to them.
Army Sgt. 1st Michael McCarron thanked the students for holding the event and asked them to think about those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for the country.
"I take a lot of time to think about all of my brothers and sisters that stood behind me during times of conflict in Afghanistan and Iraq but they are no longer here to stand behind me during a time of peace," McCarron said. "Many men and women have given their lives so we can sit here today."
He added that many other countries do not have the same freedoms.
"I think about the freedoms we have such as the right to vote, the freedom to go to school and freedom of speech, I think about the men and women who have laid down the ultimate sacrifice," he said. "When I was in other countries, I saw people that were not free that could not send their children to school, who could not choose the jobs they wanted … we have these freedoms here but they come at a cost."
Superintendent Barbara Malkas also spoke and said the meaning of Memorial Day changed for her when her daughter enlisted in the Coast Guard.
"Like many Americans, I always looked forward to Memorial Day weekend as a much-needed day off and a kick-off to the summer season," she said. "Until 2010, that was the year my 17-year-old daughter stood up with her cohort at the United States Coast Guard Academy and raised her right hand to take the oath."
"Let us show our respect for this country each day through our actions and our words as civilians and to be always ready, always faithful and ready to defend," she said. "This way, we honor our veterans and those who no longer stand before their ranks."
Mayor Richard Alcombright asked the students to never take freedom for granted.
"Freedom is kind of like turning on the water for us. It is always there and for so many around the word there is no freedom," the mayor said. "It just does not exist. We are fortunate to live under a flag that represents that freedom because of the men and women present and past who have died to protect us and those freedoms."
Marine Lt. Col. Bennett Walsh was the last to speak and said he decided he wanted to be a Marine at the age of 9 because he wanted to protect the freedoms America has.
He also thanked all the students for attending the ceremony and remembering fallen veterans.
"The fact that you are taking time out of your school day to do this is what Memorial Day is all about," he said. "You are remembering those who are not here with us today and it is important this weekend to remember the sacrifices those men and women have made."
The school chorus also performed and members of the band played the national anthem and other patriotic songs throughout the ceremony.
The Williamstown American Legion Post 152 presented the colors.
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