Salute

Amherst Town Common 11:00 AM

About 50 citizens showed up for the town ceremony on the historic North Common somewhat under the big ceremonial US flag the town flies on special occasions along with the 30 commemorative flags now flying in the downtown.

Select Board Chair Alisa Brewer gave a short measured speech about how the town needs to be accepting of veterans even if they seem somewhat different from our usual demographic.

 Select Board Chair Alisa Brewer briefly addresses the crowd

The Veterans Day ceremony/observance was revived exactly 15 years ago in the immediate wake of 9/11.

It had been at least a generation or maybe two since the town hosted a Veterans Day ceremony as back then the town was far more interested in hosting/celebrating the anti-war movement, which occasionally crossed into anti-veteran territory.

In fact the newly revived ceremony in 2001 was crashed by abrasive protesters (the invasion of Afghanistan to get Osama bin Laden had just begun) who outnumbered the more respectful celebrants who dared to show up.

Just when things were about to escalate to a riot stage, a pair of majestic A-10 warthogs screamed in from the south and flew over the heated crowd at the lowest altitude I have ever seen.

Everything came to a dead silent stop -- kind of like slapping a person who has briefly gone hysterical.  Folks on both sides came to their senses, and quietly left the field of battle. 

 Today's ceremony was nothing but respectful

Thank You!

American Legion Post 148 & Amherst VFW Post 754 Color Guard

About 50 people braved the lousy weather to congregate on the historic Amherst North Town Common this morning to honor all the men and women who have served our country over the past 239 years.

Select Board member Andy Steinberg assisted by Chair Alisa Brewer thanks veterans on behalf of the town

And when all is said and done, while the 25 minute ceremony was a nice gesture, all that's really needed is a simple, but heartfelt, "Thank You."

Veterans Day 2013.  Two good men no longer with us:  Arthur Quinton and John Musante

Thank You Veterans!

American Legion Post 148  and VFW Post 754 combined color guard

It's a simple thing really, that we learn as children (some of us the hard way):  saying "please" and "thank you".  Some of us do it verbally, or send a Hallmark card, or buy flowers or some other token of appreciation for someone who went out of their way for us.

 Arthur Quinton recites In Flanders Fields from memory

Today the town showed thanks to those men and women who have served our great nation, going out of their way for all of us, to defend the freedoms we all too often take for granted.

 Town Manager Musante:  "Thank you and happy Veterans Day"

'Twas a simple ceremony, with a nine-member color guard standing at attention, a brand new main flag climbing to full staff while five dozen people sang the national anthem acapella because the smart phone version would not work.

 Perfect day to unveil new main town flag (windstorm damaged the predecessor)

Both Town Manager Musante and Select  Board Chair Aaron Hayden gave a simple thank you, as did guest speaker former staff Sgt. Nathaniel Dunnican, a UMass senior, whose speech was interrupted by the town clock striking the 11th hour, of the 11th day of the 11th month ...

 

Veterans Agent Steven Connor had technical difficulty getting the Nation Anthem to play, so ...

Amherst Honors The Deserving

Amherst American Legion Post 148 and Amherst VFW Post 754 Color Guard

In one of the best turnouts in many years over 50 people braved the brisk weather to assemble in town center this morning on the 11th month of the 11th day at the 11th hour to honor and remember those who put their lives on the line defending our cherished freedoms.

 Crowd included town officials, aging veterans and families

Veterans Agent Steven Connor said it best, almost as an aside:  "If you see a veteran today, thank them for the their service."  Or on any day.

Veterans Agent Steven Connor right, Town Manager John Musante left (cute kid background)

 

Ageless WW2 veteran Arthur Quinton recites "In Flanders Fields"  (from memory)

 

Main town flag was at half staff, then raised briskly back to the top of the pole

Thank You!

These colors require constant vigilance.  Our Veterans make it so

Amherst Remembers

A healthy Town Manager addresses the sparse crowd

Empty chairs probably outnumbered the veterans or spectators who never put on the uniform, but at least Amherst took the time to remember and say "thank you." I wish I could say the same for our citizenry.

Worth dying for

UPDATE: 6:45 PM So the on-again, off-again speech by convicted domestic terrorist Raymond Luc Levasseur at Umass, you know, that bastion of higher education where the market of ideas--no matter how whacked--can be discussed in a civilized manner, is now OFF.

And if I had to guess, since a venerable duly appointed taxpayer funded government Parole Officer is involved, this time it's permanent. Now I know what Michelle Obama meant when she suggested sometimes you're ashamed to be called an American.

The Boston Herald "reports" (requiring three "reporters" no less)