Memorial Day rain doesn’t deter Norwood-based turnout

Even though the event was indoors, there were elements of a Memorial Day parade in the hall. These included a performance from the Colonial Boys, who played patriotic songs like “America the Beautiful” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Additionally, there were opening and closing prayers from Father Stephen Donohoe of Saint Catherine of Siena Church on Washington Street and Steve Eosco, chaplain from the Marine Corps League of Norfolk County, respectively.

“It’s important to recognize fallen service members,” explained Derek F. Wennerstrand, an Army veteran who served from 2001-2010 and is now director of the Norwood Veterans’ Services. “Memorial Day makes us pause to celebrate,” he added.

Wennerstrand gave the keynote speech for this year’s ceremony. In his speech, he called attention to the service members whose sacrifices can go unnoticed, especially the men and women he served with who died in combat and were “battling their inner demons.”

“It’s [also] important to remember the individuals who are dealing with mental health struggles,” Wennerstrand emphasized.

Memorial Day was originally celebrated as “Decoration Day” on May 30, 1868, in Arlington National Cemetery. There, future President James A. Garfield inspired 5,000 people, who also decorated 20,000 Confederate and Union soldiers’ graves with flowers to remember their sacrifices in the Civil War. This tradition of decoration and dedication carried forward to Monday’s events, as noted by Vice Chairman of the Norwood Board of Selectmen Robert Donnelly.

“Norwood has a tradition and history of recognizing the service and sacrifices made by our service members,” Donnelly said to the audience. He cited an example of the Disabled American Veterans Memorial Park on Berwick Street, which received its name after World War II in the memory of those Americans who served.

Additionally, Memorial Hall was originally the George K. Bird Post 169 of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), a fraternal organization of Union veterans of the Civil War founded in 1866. The GAR was dedicated to promoting patriotism, veterans’ pensions and remembrance of Union soldiers, including Bird, a Norwood resident who served in the war. The organization dissolved in 1956 when its last member died, but Memorial Hall in Norwood plus this year’s celebration are parts of the organization’s historical legacy, noted Wennerstrand.

One of these traditions was a reading of President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, by Norwood High School senior Abby Curran. Curran was chosen to give the two-minute speech after auditioning for it at the school. “I was very excited. I felt honored to be chosen,” she noted.

“It’s important to carry on the tradition here in Norwood.” Curran also said she appreciated the opportunity to speak publicly in front of the crowd. “It was kind of a test of what I can do, and it helps,” she noted. Curran will begin studying health science at Clemson University in South Carolina this fall.

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“Whoever formalized Memorial Day… it stands to reason that virtuous Americans of all backgrounds inherently understood the importance of recognizing the sacrifices of their fellow countrymen,” said Wennerstrand as he addressed the crowd before his keynote speech.

The ceremony ended with a performance of the first and last verses of “America the Beautiful,” streamed from YouTube, in place of the Norwood High School Band. Wennerstrand encouraged attendees to continue their observances by visiting the nearby Old Parish Cemetery on Washington Street and Railroad Avenue for tours and information and to pause for a moment of silence at 3 p.m. that day for the National Moment of Remembrance. Additionally, Wennerstrand suggested that attendees visit the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Post #2452 on Dean Street from 12 to 6 p.m. to enjoy pizza.

Learn more about the Norwood Veterans Service Office at https://gvimes.link/norwoodvso