Enfield
Together, they bowed heads for an moment of silence before watching as retired Lt. Tim Jennings stepped up to the mic.
“Among us today are the memorials, graves and tombstones of those who came before us, those who made this town,” Jennings told the crowd. “They cleared the land, established farms, churches, schools and homes.”
The historic downtown cemetery also is home to veterans, said Jennings who served in the U.S. Navy from 1978 to 1985. And while Memorial Day is primarily about commemorating those who died fighting for our nation, he said, it’s also important to remember those who came back and helped build our local communities.
Jennings, this year’s speaker at Enfield’s annual ceremony, devoted much of his presentation on Monday to highlighting past town residents who not only served in America’s conflicts but who also contributed to the town. Each of them has a story to tell, he said, and many of those stories aren’t far removed from those living today.
Shortly before arriving at the cemetery, a parade of police cruisers, honor guards, the Mascoma Valley Regional High School marching band and several fire engines led residents to the town’s Veterans Memorial Park.
There, a wreath was laid at the memorial, which commemorates Enfield’s veterans, including the 56 men who served in the American Revolution, 253 who fought in the Civil War and 130 who went overseas to serve in World War II.
Among those was Joseph Johnson, who was only 15 years old when he marched south in December 1775 to help dislodge British forces from Boston, Jennings said. After four years in the Continental forces, Joseph returned to Enfield, where he later died in 1848.
“In a small place like Enfield, it’s not unlikely Joseph knew and shook the hand of a small Oscar Collins,” Jennings said.
Collins, born in 1840, enlisted in the Union Army in 1861 and fought in the Civil War’s most notorious battles, including at Gettysburg. Collins also returned to Enfield, Jennings said, and it’s likely he shook the hand of future World War II veterans before his death in 1940.
“Oscar is buried right up there,” Jennings said, pointing past the crowd to the Collins family gravesite. “You might want to go pay him a visit.”
Jennings implored people to go out and find the remaining veterans that might have spoken to those who came before. If they’re lucky, he said, they might find someone whose handshakes reach back to the Revolution.
“I think you will feel the pride and honor coursing through your palm that goes back to the very founding of the Republic,” he said.
Enfield resident Kathleen Stavaski and her family were among those who visited Collins’ grave after the ceremony had ended.
“To come here, you’re honoring the people who have served, that have died, that have come back and lived,” she said. “I wish more people would come. I wish more people would remember.”
Retired Staff Sgt. Patick Swain, 50, also was among the crowd on Monday. He left the Army in June after serving for 20 years, which included tours to Iraq and Afghanistan.
“A lot of people don’t realize what Memorial Day really means. It’s a lot of parties and a free weekend” for some, he said. “But for us veterans, we take time for peace.”
Swain said he often has to educate people about what the day means to him, and has seen interest in service members drop off since signing up. However, he didn’t enlist for recognition.
“I do it for freedom,” he said.
Tim Camerato can be reached at tcamerato@vnews.com or 603-727-3223.