EAST LONGMEADOW – Parents brought their children. Veterans and elders came to remember. In all, more than 100 people lined Maple Street for the town’s Veteran’s Day Parade, following the honor guard, contingent of veterans, Boy, Girl and Cub Scouts and members of the East Longmeadow High School Marching Band from American Legion Post #293 to the plaza outside Town Hall for this year’s wreath laying ceremony.

East Longmeadow High School student Emily McManus opened the observance with a performance of the National Anthem, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Girl Scout troops 20113, 64556 and 20108, Cub Scout Pack 271 and Boy Scout Troops 174 of East Longmeadow and 387 from Somers, CT, and a prayer by Legion Post #273 Chaplin Russ Rennell.

“As we know, this great country that we reside in would not be possible without the volunteerism of its citizens,” said  Master of Ceremonies Kyle Godding commander, Italian American World War Veterans (ITAM) Post #64, in his opening remarks. “A veteran is a citizen of this country that has volunteered to serve this country, sometimes in war, sometimes not in war, but they still volunteered.”

Godding added that “selflessness” was the hallmark of veterans. “People who join the armed forces have a built-in feeling that they have to protect their country.”

Noting the size of the gathering, state Rep. Brian Ashe, remarked on the growing appreciation for the role of veterans he’s observed during the eight years he’s attended Veterans Day events as an elected official.

“The first year that I spoke I only had two events throughout my district that I had to attend, and I’m happy that now I have six different veterans events to attend, which means that more and more people are celebrating and honoring our veterans today,” Ashe said.

Reflecting on the tumultuous election season that just concluded, Ashe went on to observe that  “Veterans Day is so important for us, I don’t think it could have happened at a better time. I know Veterans Day is Nov. 11 every year, but after the election we just had that divided our country, it is appropriate that today we celebrate why we have those freedoms, why we have those choices, why we are able to congregate here and have an open meeting, why people have the freedom to choose.”

Ashe joined ITAM veteran Mike Lupo in the laying of a wreath before the Veteran’s Memorial in the town plaza. He also assisted in the laying of a second wreath before the flag at the rotary.

The ceremony concluded with a performance of taps by East Longmeadow High School Band member Lily Russo and the singing of God Bless America by McManus.