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Rainy Day Remembrance

by Ben Kaplan
6/3/2016

On this past Monday, Holliston was not graced with sun and blue skies for its annual Memorial Day parade. In fact it was gray and cold for most of the day. Even so, the weather did not keep the community from coming out in full to show its support for those who have fallen fighting for our country.

Dressed in ponchos and raincoats, groups of parents, grandparents, children, and friends all gathered along the sidewalk to fend off the rain and cheer on those marching as they wound their way up from the V.F.W on Woodland Street towards the Town Hall. Led and marshalled by Col. Frank Sobchak, an Iraq War Veteran and Holliston resident, the parade featured members of the town from a number of different walks of life; all seeking to honor our military men and women. Participants in the parade included members of the Holliston Police department, the Holliston Lions Club, our town’s Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Girl Scout troops, as well as a mixture of our middle-school and high-school bands.

The parade itself culminated in a service that took place upon the steps of Town Hall. A large group of residents gathered solemnly to listen to a collection of speeches and pay their respects as the American flag was raised from half-mast to full and wreaths were placed on top of the veterans memorials.

The outpouring of support and love shown by those that came out to the parade, as well as those that participated in any of the other memorial events that were happening that day, says that the importance of Memorial Day is certainly not lost on many Hollistonians. When asked to comment on the significance of the holiday Peter and Janet Littlefield, below, lifelong residents of the town, found it difficult to find a single statement to sum up their feelings.

“Oh please, I can’t go there,” said Mrs. Littlefield. “It is a time to remember all of the service people, both dead and alive that have served the country,” comments her husband. He continues, “It is very similar to Veterans Day. Memorial Day may be more about those who have passed away, but they mean the same thing to us.”

To another resident and her daughter, whom wished to be referred to as Katie and Alison, Memorial Day is meant as more of a commemoration. “It means celebrating the veterans, all their hard work and dedication to and for our country,” commented Katie, “[Holliston] is a pretty tight knit community, so everyone comes out and offers support.” To young Alison, the holiday serves a way for her to remember her “Pop Pop.”

In a similar vein, Memorial Day is also a time of remembrance for veterans as well. To George Snow, above, who served 21 years in Submarine Service and has lived in Holliston since 1942, Memorial Day is a time where he “remembers some of my closest friends. It is the general acknowledgement of all those who have served. Memorial day is a day of mourning.” When asked if he felt valued as a veteran in this community, Mr. Snow commented that, “Yes, I would say so. We are a close society in this small town. The best way to honor a veteran is to remember. Let them know that they didn’t do what they did in vain and that their acts still live on.”

Ben Kaplan is a college sophomore majoring in journalism and interning with HollistonReporter.com for the summer.

Comments (1)

Very nicely reported, Ben. Congratulations!

Martha Ellis | 2016-06-10 16:53:12