A disappointing Memorial day here in the Ham

I was hoping that someone in the Administration or the City Council would have tried to do some display of respect for all who have given their lives defending this country. While some cities paired down the usual parades and large gatherings at City Halls, not one person, elected or appointed had the courage to do anything in Town. They couldn't even lower the flags to half staff from dawn to noon yesterday at the Memorial building. Even the little Town of Mendon did something.

MENDON — For Susan Tetreault, post commander at the Roger L. Wood American Legion Post in Mendon, Memorial Day is a holiday that should never go unrecognized.

Without the hundreds of thousands men and women who lost their lives in the line of duty and the veterans who returned, America would not be free, she said.

“Today is a special day to honor those who had gone before us,” Tetreault said from the parking lot of New England Steak and Seafood in Mendon Monday morning.

Tetreault, who served on active duty from 1977 to 1998, gathered with a host of other veterans, police officers, firefighters and residents, in the parking lot to prepare for the Memorial Day celebration aimed to hit nearly every resident in town.

Like many other communities and states throughout the country, Mendon had to cancel this year’s Memorial Day Parade as the world still grapples with the coronavirus pandemic.

Instead, the Mendon American Legion Post in partnership with the Mendon Police Association, the fire department and the Massachusetts State Police decided to offer something different: a convoy of vehicles made up of police cruisers, fire vehicles and civilian vehicles that drove through nearly every street in town in celebration of the day.

“It’s important to show the veterans that just because of social distancing that they are not forgotten – that we are here for them to show respect, and thank them for their contribution to our country” said Detective Sgt. Donald Blanchette. “It’s also to bring it to the folks that come out every year and participate in the parade. ... We’ll bring the parade to them.”

Accompanying each public safety official in their vehicle was a veteran.

The Police Department was also posting photos and videos along the routes on its Facebook page and online gallery.

In addition to hitting every street, officers escorted veterans of the Mendon American Post the town’s numerous memorials after the convoy was completed. While there, wreaths were placed over the monuments and prayers were said.

Helping make sure the online portion of the day’s celebration ran smoothly was Officer Nicholas Erskine, the department’s technology expert.

He, along with other photographers, were posting the live updates to social media feeds.

“It’s great to be able to see this generation use technology, especially in a time of need when it’s tough for people to actually physically get together and show their respect for the veterans,” he said. “So, we are able to use that technology to our advantage.”

From the MWDN: