By CHRIS COLLINS
(Sunderland, MA) — Area veterans groups are making scaled down plans for Memorial Day celebrations in light of the COVID 19 pandemic.
In Sunderland, event organizer Jim Ewen says the plan is to have a ceremony at the Riverside Cemetery on May 22 at 6pm involving a select number of local veterans. The annual event recognizes and honor each Sunderland resident who has died in each American war, dating back to the Revolution. The traditional parade from Sunderland Town Hall to the cemetery has been cancelled.
In Deerfield, the traditional parade and ceremony on the town common has been cancelled, but VFW #3295 Spokesman John Cycz says private military ceremonies will be conducted on Memorial Day May 25 at four of the town’s cemeteries to honor Deerfield’s fallen veterans. Cycz also says the streets will be decorated with flags by the members of the South Deerfield Fire Department, the graves in the cemeteries will be flagged by the VFW and other volunteers, and the 24 street signs honoring those who were Killed in Action will be adorned with flowers and ribbons by members of the Memorial Day Committee.