National Guard Maj. Gen. Sean Collins and Southwick resident (standing at podium) gave the keynote address during the Veterans Day ceremony in Southwick on Nov. 11.
Reminder Publishing photo by Cliff Clark
SOUTHWICK — Residents gathered on Nov. 11 at the town’s War Memorial to honor Veterans Day and to thank the men and women who have served in the military to keep this country free with a parade and wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial.
National Guard Maj. Gen. Sean Collins, the keynote speaker at the event, recounted the bravery and service of several men who wore in the uniform, including Leonard Gardner, an Amherst native.
Collins said, with over 100 residents silently watching, their faces glowing in the bright sunshine, that Gardner was serving at Pearl Harbor when Japan launched the strike that propelled the U.S. into World War II.
A 20-year-old signalman striker on the USS Reid, Gardner and his shipmates were swept into the maelstrom of war as the Japanese attacked the American fleet at Pearl Harbor, Collins said.
After his military service and a lifetime of service in the federal government, Gardner was tapped to receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2018.
When called on to make the customary acceptance speech, Collins said, Gardner walked to the podium and told the audience he wasn’t going to talk about the attack.
“The only thing he said was, ‘I want to remind everyone that freedom is not free,’ and he walked off the stage … it was quite a moment,” Collins said.
“What else did he need to say? He said it all,” Collins said.
The ceremony was hosted by Matt Egerton, of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 872, who reminded everyone that the day before, Nov. 10, the U.S. Marine Corps was founded 249 years ago.
Egerton offered an insight into the Corps provided by former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt.
“The Marines I have seen around the world have the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale, and the lowest morals of any group of animals I have ever seen. Thank God for the United States Marine Corps,” Egerton said, with a splash of laughter from the crowd.
Select Board Chair Jason Perron and a veteran of the U.S. Air Force reminded everyone about the importance of the day.
“Veterans Day isn’t just a day off from work or a chance to enjoy a sale at the local store — it is a solemn reminder of the commitment made by those who wore the uniform and the families who stood beside them,” Perron said.
He also thanked all veterans and service members, and their families.
“I extend my deepest gratitude to the families who bear the weight of our service. They experience the long deployments, the worry, and the sleepless nights. They sacrifice so much so that we can serve while knowing their loved ones are in harm’s way. Their strength and support enables us to fulfill our responsibilities as we safeguard our country,” Perron said.
Before remarks by Collins, Perron, and Egerton, Shirley Odell, a Gold Star mother who lost her daughter, U.S. Navy Petty Officer Nancy R. Odell-Liupakka, in 1987 in Italy, laid wreaths at the town memorial.
The Southwick Regional High School Marching Band offered up the national anthem, and a medley of the anthems of each of each branch of the military.
The Southwick Congregational Church’s pastor, Rev. Paul Nesbit, offered prayers to those have served and their families, also.
Before the 21-gun salute was fired by the members of the VFW, and taps was sounded by a member of the Southwick Regional School marching band, Perron offered these final words.
“It’s easy to remember our veterans today, but we must also pledge to honor and support them every day of the year.”
