By Michael Oliveira
On a sunny Saturday morning, the town came together to honor those who have given their all in service to this nation.
The North Attleborough Memorial Day parade started with the town’s Fire Department and ended with the North Attleborough High School Band, with the American Legion and Auxiliary, Metro-West Jeep Club, Veterans Advisory Board, Scouts, Elks and the Rehoboth Minuteman featured as well.
After the parade ended, Town Manager Michael Borg hosted a memorial service in Barrows Veterans Memorial Park, which featured state Sen. Paul Feeney (D-Foxboro), state Rep. Adam Scanlon (D-North Attleborough), Town Council Vice President John Simmons, and keynote speaker, retired Lt. Col. Greg Mayer.
“Freedom is only one generation away from extinction, we must continue to live our lives in a way that makes us worth it,” Simmons said.
“We take at least one day (Memorial Day) to join together in a community on patches of grass like this across the commonwealth and across our great nation,” said Feeney. “To pause, to remember, to reflect, and to honor, even just for a moment.
“Let’s pause and ask ourselves, if we all knew right now that tomorrow may not come, would we spend our time fighting against each other or fighting for each other?”
State Rep. Adam Scanlon (D-North Attleborough) spoke to the sacrifice made by those who served for this nation.
“And it is times like these when we see instability, and conflict across the world but not on our shores, that we must remember that it is thanks to the sacrifice of our service members and veterans,” said Scanlon.
The memorial service would last an hour, after the speeches concluded there was a three-round rifle salute from the Rehoboth Minuteman and a wreath laying on the flag behind the stage by Borg, Simmons, and Mayer.
During his remarks, Mayer spoke to the 16 residents of North Attleborough who gave their lives in World War II.
“Some died as a direct result of combat and others died during their service for other reasons for as today there is little difference as they all lost their lives while serving our nation’s interest during a time of war,” said Mayer.
