Turley Publications photos by Ruth M. Lyon

David Prouty High School drummers kept Memorial Day marchers in time.

East Brookfield Memorial Day observance solemn, colorful

By Ruth M. Lyon

Turley Publications Reporter

EAST BROOKFIELD - The church carillon played “American the Beautiful” and “My country Tis of Thee” as spectators gathered along Main St. to watch this town’s annual Memorial Day parade. As the sun of a perfect day gilded nearby Lake Lashaway, boats, one bedecked with flags and all bearing spectators to the upcoming small town celebration, floated close to shore.

Flag-waving kids and dogs with patriotic neckerchiefs added color and charm to this town’s annual observation of honor, loyalty and sacrifice by the men and women of all of the services in all of the nation’s wars. A white cat wore a red and blue collar as she snoozed on a porch rail; she’s a regular participant in all patriotic holidays. Boys on bicycles sported flags on the handlebars and Red Sox hats. Little girls wore braids and bows and all manner of enchanting summer outfits as they waved flags and smiled at the marchers and each other.

As the church bells rang their final notes, the parade, led by cars bearing the heroes of the day, veterans of wars past, appeared. Music by the David Prouty High School Band provided accompaniment as uniformed veterans maintained military cadence, and the boy scouts, girl scouts, firemen and others marched from the municipal town complex, down Connie Mack Drive to Main St., to Evergreen Cemetery where a service was held, led by Rev. Dr. Kevin P. Cross.

The parade then continued back down Main St. to Pleasant St., where closing ceremonies were held at the Veteran’s Memorial at a splendidly decorated Depot Square.

Guest speaker State Rep. Geraldo Alicea recalled the words of President George H. W. Bush, who spoke of “the hard work of war.” Alicea praised all who had and continue to pursue that hard work, in the name of peace and liberty now and for future generations.

Parade Grand Marshal U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant John E. Rotchford was introduced and presented a citation from the East Brookfield Board of Selectmen. Rotchford had been the recipient of three Purple Heart awards during his service in Vietnam.

Amanda Lambert sang “America the Beautiful” to an appreciative audience. Jordan Gablaski and Mia Golden read the Gettysburg Address; Arianna Spencer and Madison Hatt recited the poem “In Flanders Field.”

Father George Charland of St. John the Baptist Church offered the prayer as those assembled offered their thanks to those listed on the nearby monuments.