2026 Memorial Day Parade & Closing Ceremony

Some time back, I received in the name of our country the bodies of four Marines who had died while on active duty. I said then that there is a special sadness that accompanies the death of a servicemen, for we're never quite good enough to them.

Not really. We can't be because what they gave us is beyond our powers to repay.

And so when a serviceman dies, it's a tear in the fabric, a break in the hole.

And all we can do is remember.

It is in a way an odd thing to honor those who died in defense of our country, in defense of us in wars far away.

The imagination plays a trick. We see these soldiers in our mind as old and wise. We see them as something like the founding fathers, grave and gay-haired.

But most of them were boys when they died. And they gave up two lives. The one they were living and the one they would have lived. When they died, they gave up their chance to be husbands and fathers and grandfathers. They gave up their chance to be revered old men.

They gave up everything for our country, for us. We owe them a debt we can never repay.

All we can do is remember them and what they did and why they had to be brave for us.

And you just heard President Ronald Reagan's 1985 Memorial Day address. That piece was edited by Champion Forest, a Texas prayer group. President Reagan was speaking at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia where more than 430,000 veterans, service people, close relatives are buried. Approximately 6 to 7,000 fresh burials happen annually at Arlington.

Thank you for joining us for this annual Memorial Day parade here in the great city of Fall River 2026 this year. I am of course as always stationed here at Government Center with a team from Fall River Educational Television out of Dery High School as well as my co-workers from Fall River Government Television.

We are beyond proud and b beyond privileged to bring you the events that have been happening now across the city for one week. That's right. We started with a memorial to fallen veterans in the Civil War. You were just looking at Battleship, Massachusetts down at Battleship Cove where the World War II's official memorial is located. Uh my coworker and camera person Craig Salvador was down there filming and we

will have that event to you as well. So much happening. So, if you are not here live at the parade as these spectators are, please know that we will rebroadcast on Xfinity channel 97 or our YouTube channel at Fall River Government Television and of course on the Facebook page. My thoughts always on this solemn day are with our Gold Star families.

Our parade marshal this year is retired Army nurse, Second Lieutenant Mary Goff.

I met Mary this week. Mary served 20 months in Japan during the Vietnam War.

So, she was selected to serve in Japan at one 1,000 bed hospital. There were two 1,000 bed hospitals at the initial start of the Vietnam War. Mary was wellkilled in long-term care as well as psychiatric nursing. So, she is this year's parade marshal. Her patients, she told me, were likely to survive, but with horrific injuries, including some amputations. I sat down with Mrs. Gooff and we spent an hour talking at the

Veterans Memorial by Centennial Park.

The first time I actually knew I wanted to be take care of the soldiers was when I was about 5 years old at the Memorial Day Cemetery with my father and when they paid played taps, I started to cry.

And my father said, you know, it's it's okay. These guys are safe now. A typical, you know, response. So I I knew for a long time I wanted to be a nurse.

And I always wanted to travel. I always wanted to experience different cultures.

Mrs. Goff says army life really was the best of times and the worst. She was needed and she was fulfilled as perhaps no other experience has been able to match. A question I get asked. I I hate people. Did I was I ever homesick?

No, not at all. Sure, Christmas I thought, well, I'd be sitting, you know, having a hot muttered room at the fireplace with my father, but it was never homesick because I was where I wanted to be. My parents were homesick.

I mean, I saved my mother's letters. Oh, I hope Mary's okay. I hope she doesn't get to, you know, it's like, Mom, Mrs.

Goff served 20 months at the 249th General Hospital. At the risk of sounding callous, she said nurses dealt with what they got. Injured men fresh off the plane from Vietnam.

My second day in, I was assigned to a 5560 bed ward. No arms, no legs, severe injuries. I thank God to this day that I was a three-year graduate, not a college trained nurse.

Um, I can't I really can't wrap my anything around right now what I did. I could take care of the wounds. I had absolutely no trouble taking care of the wounds as tragically they were. I was much more concerned about the unsune wounds which we're now calling PTSD.

Fiverr Riverbased artist Brian Fox consulted Goff to ensure that his recent work is accurate. According to Goff, the portraits are precise and painfully realistic. The association with Brian Fox gave her a platform and confidence.

She now works tirelessly to ensure wartime nurses receive fair pensions, health care, and finally recognition.

One thing they told us, never let us see, never let a patient see you cry.

that didn't fly in my book because to me and I I don't mean sobbing out loud type going teareyed. Um if I didn't that would mean I was a cold person with no you know no feelings.

Second Lieutenant Goff thank you for your service. I am proud and honored to know you and now call you a friend.

10,000 nurses approximately served in Vietnam and of course the Vietnam theater. They too were exposed to Agent Orange, a poisonous defolian and a known carcinogenic.

1865 marked the end of the Civil War known as Decoration Day. Flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate dead, hastily buried young men in valleys, farmlands, forests, and fields. the mothers and the women in the area began that after the Civil War, realizing that all mothers were suffering with a loss. And it wasn't until the late 1970s that federal law changed and made Memorial Day an

official federal holiday that is now celebrated nationwide. And perhaps no one does it better to honor and remember our veterans than the city of Fall River. I'm told that our parade, the First Division, just kicked off from Kennedy Park. And so we should be seeing some of our marchers in just a few minutes. In the meantime, I want to tell you about our veteran service officer.

So, every municipality in Massachusetts, city or town, that's 351, must employ or at least promote and appoint a VSO. It of course depends on the size of the municipality. These experts answer questions regarding DD214s, which is a certification of release from service. They answer questions about the GI Bill, job placement, medical care, housing, schooling for vets, and of course,

surviving family members. Our VSO is Taylor Ferris. He's a Corman Navy hospital. He treated Marines wounded in Iraq during Operation Enduring Freedom and the Global War on Terror. Doc says he treated enemies as well during several tours of duty. Marines gave him the honorary title of Doc for his medical expertise and compassion. But Doc admits to having great difficulty in 2013 when he retired from the military

and began the transition to civilian life.

Sometimes it's one more day or a day at a time. Um, nothing that we go through can we not come back from. Um, that's been something that I've been living for many years at this point. Uh, it's very well known to a lot of folks here in Fall River. There was a time when I was a homeless veteran. Um, and I struggled with finding my place back in society.

Um, and and and being useful at the same time. Uh and so what I can offer is is that if you take it one day at a time, uh find something that you can become passionate about and use that as a mechanism to get your get your fire going and get yourself back on the right track. Um my office is always available uh to help anyone that's looking to change the way their life is going from

the veteran standpoint. uh as far as getting involved in the community with the veteran service organizations, volunteering with the youth, you name it, we can find a way to help you get yourself reintegrated back into the society.

FSO Ferris utilized talk therapy available through the Wounded Warrior Program and other agencies to get his life back on track. He reconnected with family in Georgia. He was the primary caretaker for his cancer-stricken father, a retired police officer. Doc's grandfather served in Korea. Doc recognizes now that most likely generations of his family suffered from PTSD.

May is mental health awareness month.

You are reminded that 988 is the crisis hotline. It's a 24-hour hotline for intervention in times of crisis. If you are a vet, please press one for immediate connection to a trained professional from the Department of Veterans Affairs. All talk is confidential. Facilitators will direct you to hospitals, websites, Zoom meetings, in-person meetings, therapists. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1 800-273

TALK or 1 800-2738255.

Formerly known as shell shock PTSD for generations, went unrecognized. It was really a silent killer and resulted in addiction, family violence, poverty. The shameful stigma is finally being raised in a hope that young people such as this child and others here watching the Memorial Day parade will feel more comfortable talking about their feelings and being open and compassionate to

assist others. We remind you again to keep in mind so many agencies that assist our veterans here in the city of Fall River. Stay tuned. We'll be looking at the soon to open. We're calling it Fall River's worstkept secret. The Veterans Association of Bristol County will be vacating Pine Street and opening up a beautiful state-of-the-art center down in the South End that will offer so

many services right under one roof.

Okay. So, we're seeing here that I think maybe we can squeak in a little bit of Well, I'm going to hold off and I'll tell you why. Um, it's difficult to talk over as we have our men and women in blue kicking off the start of our Memorial Day parade. And that's really important, right? People often say the first responders are at the start and the end of parades. Well, they may have

to make a hasty exit. So, we want our first responders to kick off the parade not only as a thank you for their daily work here in the city of Fall River, but also to have the ability to exit should that be needed. You know, I have to say we were going back and forth all weekend, my co-workers and I here at Fred TV and at FRGTV under the direction of Renee Cotchman, our supervisor, my

co-orker Evan Massud. We have Gary Leit in the back. We also have Steve Rice and from BCC. I'm also joined by Mike Ferrer, Alex Melo, and Craig Salvador was down at the battleship. So, we really had a full team um this weekend running around dodging raindrops.

Student McKenna Borges from Fred TV is running the camera here and her family actually is down below in attendance at the parade. But it's a difficult call for VSO, Doc Ferris, and any of the veterans groups to make that, you know, distinction of what constitutes time to cancel a parade. We want a good turnout.

We want people to be safe. At the same time, we have to be so respectful of men and women who served, who are serving, and the gold star families who for them, no day is a day off, regardless of a holiday or a weather emergency. So, I'm excited and proud, too, and of course honored that we are able to be here and bring you the parade live for those of you at home because other communities,

surrounding communities, including Dartmouth, New Bedford, Westport, even communities up in Maine, I'm told, called off their parades due to weather.

We are looking at the Charles Braga Bridge. Now, this is named after Charles Bragga. was the first Fall River casualty in World War II killed in Pearl Harbor.

And this bridge opened to foot traffic in Easter 1966.

And my parents were newlyweds, Paul and Willamina Peliter. and they joined thousands of local families from Bristol County Easter Day 1966, which is tradition of course worldwide really to kind of open open the parade, pardon me, open the bridges to foot traffic before the vehicles begin going over them. I'm continuing to talk and I think we're working on some camera issues. Did I look a little blurry? Okay, I'm okay

with that. Renee, may I joke a tad? I know it's a solemn day, but uh after 41 years of doing this parade, I I think I'm okay if we blur the lines a little bit with uh allowing me not to show my age, but uh listen, I joke now, but truly coming from a military family and some of the things that we do to assist our veterans here, I thank all of you

for your service. You can hear, of course, our police motorcade, which is kicking off the beginning of the parade.

That is division one. Our acting police chief is JT and we will have the motorcycle units. I arrived over here maybe about 12:30 at Government Center and as you can see our cruisers were already blocking off traffic in and around Grammada Plaza which is where our flag poles are to the west of Government Center.

Grammatada Plaza is routinely um known just for different displays with depending on the season. We have the AIDS flags that are flown. Right now, of course, we are honoring our fallen heroes. So, we have the American flags flying. Um but it's really a lot a lot of prep. You can see here that we've blocked off. Okay, here I am. Thank you.

I'm not as always with any live production, right? things are are changing and pieces are moving. And that's the same for this parade. There's a lot that goes into this parade. Just days upon days of planning. And though you may say, well, sometimes it's the same groups that participated in 2025 and 2024, of course. But the leaders of those groups do change. And my hope is that by involving young people, by

having our Fred TV students work alongside our team here, we can engage the next generation to understand the importance of remembering those who served and who worked as founding fathers before us for this city. So yes, there is our police bike unit at the front of the parade, followed by, of course.

Yep. So we are now in division one officially. Okay. So you're looking at wonderful drone footage by Evan Massud and and it's just amazing when I think back to the early days of broadcasting parades. We used to have students and young people and interns kind of at different designations throughout the parade route and they actually had walkies and would call back, okay, I I now see the Case High School marching

band. I now see the New Bedford Wher marching band. I now see the Diamond Bengal football team. I now see the Disabled American Veterans. You know, it was just it was kind of rudimentary the way we called out and kept one another informed of what was transpiring. But now we just look at this wonderful drone footage and I can see exactly what is happening.

So So again, the weather held out. I mean I mean it's pleasant and it and it's comfortable and and out of respect to our police department, I will not talk over our proud motorcycle unit.

Thank you for joining us here. Stay tuned. We've got lots more to come.

And the forever honor guard of course will soon be in the center of your screen.

So constables on patrol, that's where we get the acronym cops from. Fall River actually has one of the oldest police departments in the United States. And I tell people that and to go to the police station and to see the pictures of the young constables on patrol on mounted horseback and and just you know then they moved on to bicycles and now of course they're back on electric bicycles

to patrol the rail trail, the quickand rail trail and some of the tight squeeze. We have Kate the drummer and Beth the Bag Piper coming up right after in the center of your screen.

Beth the Bag Piper is just a staple. She has been all over Bristol County for the month of April raising funds to assist and keep this tradition alive.

joined by Kate again. Fall River Police Department now at the center of your screen. Looks like Father Rob there on the corner of South Main. I'm trying to see. Yes. So, Father Rob has been everywhere as well this weekend. Um, presiding over all of the events, whether it's on the on the battleship, presiding over so many other things that Father Rob was present at. And I and I think it's just um you know we discuss

it all the time. Is there an easier way to do this? And I'm not sure easier is always better, right? Because we are thanking people who have absolutely given the ultimate sacrifice and remembering our gold star families that are going by now. The veterans of foreign wars have just passed by. This is post 486.

Yep. They are the oldest and most senior of our city's veterans organizations known for toy drives, care packages which are sent overseas to our trips, our troops, excuse me. Steve Rice is there to the left of the screen running our handheld camera.

Steve is representing Bristol Community College. William S. Green right now, disabled American veterans out of Fall River, Massachusetts. They meet on Pine Street. This organization was founded in the 1920s to assist returning World War I vets, and they will soon be moving their headquarters to Globe Street as well.

Oh, okay. Yes, there we go. William S.

Green.

American Legion, thank you for all that you do.

Hats off, Hill Toppers, under the direction of Julie Clinger.

What do you think?

The tin can sailors. What an active group. This is literally these fast lethal warships are the backbone of the Navy and they truly were as thin as a tin can. Sailors I talked with told me they could hear whales bellowing as they were in the water and they could hear knocking. The Veterans Association of Bristol County with that bright, beautiful food truck just passing by. I can't wait to show you their new center,

PolishAmerican Veterans. Thank you so much. We were at your ceremony as well.

Fall River Veteran Services. This is an amazing bus making sure that veterans have access to medical appointments in Boston, different VA up in Brockton, Providence, wherever they are. If you ever need any help getting assistance, please know that you can reach out to the VSO.

Scott Isacson and other very proud veterans walking through here. Justin Latini, he'll heal soon. He's working on it.

Vietnam Veterans of America. Chapter 207 led by Justin Latini, the commander.

The Honor Guard provides color at ceremonies across the area. And of course, our Fall River Youth Marines, a great group, open to boys and girls, ages eight to 18. They meet on board the battleship.

And really, their focus is just community pride, responsibility. We can see the moving Vietnam Memorial Wall. A huge undertaking by Bill Dearis, Jack Serbrego, Linda Pereira. So many fundraisers who have now allowed money in perpetuity which will mean that this wall is guaranteed to have care. Go see it on the water front. I ask of you. Joe Marshall also is there on the float. And there's Linda. Paula Dearis will be

deleting doves.

There are 58,000 names on that replica wall.

More are added every year as sadly remains are disinterred and then identified and reeried.

The panels were made in Texas. Our South Coast Nurse Honor Guard is a new organization to us, but they hold nighting gale ceremonies to nurses who served. We just taught with Mary Goff who was serving in the Vietnam theater.

Darlene Tetro is of course the organizer and leader of the South Coast Nurses Association. Thank you Darlene. You've become a wonderful friend. Some people just hit it off and I can say that about you lady for everything you've done. The Bay State Band established more than 100 years ago. Unique because it's open to all generations. Let's take a listen.

some of our elected officials.

A good turnout this year. Mayor Paul Coogan right in the center of your screen. Chanel Stewart, school committee person. I also saw Colin Das, Joe Camarra, this Fall River here.

The Medivvac unit operated by the Fall River Fire Department. Chief Jeff Bacon there in the center of your screen.

Appointed three years ago.

Jeff Burns on the left and the proud warhorse

job of a Fall River firefighter, any firefighter as well as EMS has certainly changed.

pleasure.

Hey

and Fall River EMS is under the direction of Chief Beth Font.

Richard Agi are also in charge of the medical unit.

Looks like the Case High School marching band now entering your screen. Let's take a listen.

Come on.

Come on.

and the Polish. Okay, number one, the Polish American Citizens Club. They welcome anyone to participate in their group regardless of veteran status or era.

Okay, so we had a pretty active first and second division there. I'm going to try to catch you up to speed because I still see some marchers coming.

Thank you, Victor Faras, our flags and graves officers. Just a great guy. We didn't get a chance yet to run a pack from Victor, but um we'll we'll give you a little tease and see Victor's enormous job on Memorial Today, Memorial Day to ensure There we go. Chanel Stewart, we have Monica Golden.

Everybody out having a grand old time.

Okay. So, um it's funny because once you march in the parade, everybody kind of gathers at the end. And I got to tell you, it's getting a little warm here.

So, boy, once again, typical New England fashion. If you're not happy with the weather, just give it 30 seconds. And I do apologize if I missed a name call at that first and second division. They kind of came fast and furious. Um because they do start lining up for this parade generally around noon. Um it is one of the larger parades in the area and we can certainly be proud of that.

Do stay tuned because there is a speaking program following the parade directly following in the atrium here at government center open to the public and the south coast nurses association under the direction of Darlene Tetro will be leading that prayer service and they will explain the nighting gale ceremony which you got to learn something new every day right so I've learned all about this nighting gale ceremony and

the nurses did rece received a proclamation from Mayor Paul Coogan uh earlier this month for um for their recognition and their ability to really make some changes and advocate for nurses that have been injured by as we heard from Mary Goff carcinogenics and defoliate defoliants such as agent Orange in Vietnam and often these nurses it's only been recent um I read Kristen Hannah's book the nurse nurse um given

to me by a good buddy Susan Rayondo. And it really explained so closely what these nurses in the Vietnam theater experienced. And they were certainly not at all degraded by the people they were treating, but they were looked at as perhaps not as warounded when they returned home. They were expected to go back, start right back up again, go to work, raise families, care for aging parents without recognizing that they

too, these nurses experienced horrific loss and trauma. If you get to Vietnam, there is memorial there now to nurses who have served. The Cambodian community of Fall River, such a great organization. We just went to their flag raising my good friend Sophia Rosa Hunt right here and Vandy is in there as well. They run the dance group. Again, different cultures helping one another. We're all in this

together, I think, is the best that perhaps we can um we can sometimes say when things are difficult, not only in Fall River, but um but nationwide. These c these Cambodians came here Cambodian population here arrived to to escape the as refugees to escape the killing fields in Cambodia a terrible civil war and they've just really added their touch if you've gone to the temple up on Highland

a and become an amazing part of our community here in Fog River. So now, yes, in addition to our Irish, which we saw go by, our Polish, our French immigrants, we now have the Cambodians from decades ago. The Fall River Democratic Committee, hello. There they are. New for attending our parade.

Reverend Hornsby is a member and a leader of that group.

And the Boy Scouts are taking a shortcut there.

That's the Boy and Girl Scouts.

Heat. Heat.

Fall River Middle School bands. Thank you.

All right.

Heat.

That's beautiful. There's our South Coast nurses. All right, that's just about wrapping up 2026 Memorial Day. Let me see.

We have our police bike unit back again.

So, I also want to make note, you saw the Boy Scouts um and they took a shortcut kind of on Sullivan Drive. So, the Boy and Girl Scouts on June 7th will be at the Elks on North Main Street and they'll be doing the flag retirement ceremony. So, when you say burning of the flag, well, it is the burning of the flag. It is a respectful way to dispose of flags that have served their purpose.

They're worn, they're tattered, right?

And so the Boy Scouts, the Young Marines, the Girl Scouts, members of the Elks will be joining to um to get these flags respectfully retired.

We have quite quite a large police presence here at the end of the parade as well. So, we're just gonna stay here for a minute. You're looking at lovely drone shots. Wow. Amazing, huh? It's like to think that uh when our founding fathers organized Memorial Day parades here in Fall River, you know, 150 years ago, and now we're able to take this bird's eyee view of Government Center. It's

just absolutely breathtaking. Um, so as it was saying, the Boy and Girl Scouts, um, they will be retiring those flags during a ceremony on June 7th at the Elks overseen by Nancy Carpenter and Jay Chatterton. And they'll be assisted by members of the Young Marines as well. So earlier in the parade, you saw my good friend, my helpful friend, such a kind man, Victor Faras, is our city's graves

and flags officer. He really doesn't do it for the enormous paycheck, but he does it because he cares. He's a veteran who believes that men and women who gave all deserve.

Well, I'm going to hold off still because we still have some emergency vehicles going through as part of the parade.

But please get that pack on Victor ready. I think what we'll do is run our packs um as we wait for the ceremony to begin in the atrium. There is a prayer service as I mentioned earlier that we'll be bringing you live as well from South Coast Nurses. All right, I think we're ready now. Um Victor has a very meaningful task to replace worn worn tattered flags at veterans graves.

Mr. Farious was an Army communications and signal specialist. As many veterans will tell you, upon military retirement, they continue to seek a life of service.

My legacy is to make sure that the next generation or whoever comes and takes my job to keep doing what they what I did and what what we all do together. To me, it's like uh they did something for us.

So, it's our turn to do something for them.

Approximately 11,000 veterans are buried in Fall River, dating to the Civil War.

In addition, there are more than 30 monuments, statues, and median markers that require attention.

It makes me feel proud that I came out with people to lay down a fresh flag on a veteran that give his all to this country, to this nation. And people forget that that that soldier or or a marine uh air force, they're lying there, but they did something for us to be the way we are, where we are right now.

Early on, Mr. Faras realized the critical need to involve younger generations. He contacted then commander of the young Marines, Sergeant Frank Andred.

I needed to get the young people involved. So I got a got in touch with uh Frank Andre at that time and uh we uh decided to get this going with the kids and it was a Saturday before Memorial Day. We went to Old Grove Cemetery and we brought all the young kids that we can. We started going to the schools um and uh the girls and boys uh scouts

came out and that's how I started it was with with the young Marines. Um and then from there it just grew and grew and then now we have the young kids are still coming out you know the schools are still coming out. In addition to his duties as graves and flags officer Faras serves as a bugler playing taps on many occasions across Bristol County.

And thank you, Victor. Such a great guy.

Uh, so we filmed that earlier in the week and boy, sorry, last week it was 85 degrees at the Jewish cemetery. That's where we were in the South End. So a monumental task. Victor says whether you placed one or 100 flags with him over this past week. He thanks you. The Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts, the police and fire departments, the EMS service, the young Marines, the elected officials,

the Miss Fall River groups that came out, Miss Bristol County. Thank you so much for assisting Victor in that huge task to make sure that every veteran in our city has a flag. Those flags are actually made by inmates at the state corrections facility. So made right here in the state of Massachusetts by people who now have been incarcerated are perhaps finding a way to give back to

their community as they pay their time.

You know, I want to talk about the healing wall again. So we it's it it can be difficult as the parade passes by.

Forgive me. It goes so fast and furious.

But our beautiful wall on the waterfront is an 80% replica size. So it took about four or five years of fundraising to get that wall literally off the ground. Um done by local people. You saw them as they were on that replica panel. Our wall here, the panels are made in Texas and they were installed. They are cleaned and polished in the week prior to Memorial Day by veterans by attorney

Raina Brown who serves as a war veterans council officer and other volunteers including kids from Resiliency Preparatory Academy, students from Dery, students from NJOTC.

Uh, anybody is invited to go down and clean the wall from pollen, construction dust, bird droppings, um, what have you.

At this time again uh nearly 82,000 I want you to try to wrap your head around that number. It's just about the population of Fall River Americans remain listed as missing in action. Half of those are thought to have literally been lost at sea. Those those g those bodies will not be recovered. But year by year, the United States has made a very valiant effort, an attempt to bring home remains from soldiers who still

their remains land at Dover Air Force Base. They're saluted by whatever president is on duty at that time and then buried either in their respective cemeteries or taken to Arlington. It is a monumental task. And when you see that P MIA flag, which once only flew on eight days of the year, now it is flying 365 days a year at any federal, state, or city um municipal building.

So, the Veterans Association of Bristol County has for so long since um since Vietnam been operating out of Pine Street, but they under the direction of Ken Le and his sidekick Kim Wagner are busting at the seams and they are badly in need of space that's just a bit more user friendly.

Since 1987, the Veterans Association of Bristol County has been a trusted resource. The agency is reliant on partnerships, volunteers, and community leaders. Soon at Tuscan Mill on Globe Street, healing, and help will be more easily accessible with a number of services available under one roof.

Everybody thinks of the veterans and the needs, but what they forget about a lot of times is the camaraderie, just being together. Some of the older folks, they don't have family. They don't have anybody to go home to. So, we are that family and we are that place for them to come and be with other veterans.

Bank 5 donated a flag pole and delivered a sizable check during an emotional ceremony attended by Dery and Jotc.

Senior George Tommpkins never met his greatgrandfather, a World War II casualty. But that man's death denotes how this young man moves through life.

He was ruthless. He was brave. He uh definitely was one of the best people that you'd want to be around. Um and actually he's the one that inspired me to join the RTC program. I feel honored.

It is a privilege. This unit is definitely one of the best things a part of the community. We do try to get out there. Um, we do take pride in coming out here and showing off dery and repping the United States Navy.

It's been a long and winding road for the VABC to get to this point, and the ribbon cutting is still about 6 months off, but after a $3 million capital campaign fund, they're about ready to welcome vets. This $24,000 square foot facility will offer comfort, food services, and so much more.

First class petty officer Scott Isacson served nearly 20 years in the Navy.

Stationed on five different ships across the globe. He is a trusted resource at the center. A man who speaks from the heart, cherishes his family, and shows others a path back to civilian life.

I thought I was going to change the world, but the world changed me. But but I uh try to improve it and this place is going to help veterans so much so much with everything that we do.

It's awesome. It's an awesome feeling to be part of this and the I help run the peer support program for for veterans which get veterans talking about their experiences and enlightens the load for them.

Plans upon opening are endless and fundraising will continue. The Tuscan building was constructed way back in 1897 for the manufacturing of cardboard.

Area veterans hope to find peace and stability within these strong brick walls.

Absolutely beautiful and so welld deserved. That new building will have literally one-stop shopping. Veterans will be able to go in and be assisted with questions regarding DD214s, benefits they're eligible for. They'll be able to access medical care. State reps from the VA will come down once a week or so for confidential meetings. As Scott Isacson said, he'll be running peer-to-peer c coffee groups and support

groups. There are plans for fundraisers and there are tenants in that building.

It's a massive mill. There's a church and a therapy office. So Ken Lec tells me the mortgage is being paid by tenants. So they've really made a pretty good move that's badly well badly needed and I think welld deserved. There'll also be a clothing area as well. The Pine Street Veterans building will be vacated still remain in control and ownership of vets, but plans for that building are still to be determined. I'm

being told to wrap it up here because we're just about ready to start the speaking ceremony. But remember, you can catch us again on Xfinity channel, our YouTube channel, as well as Facebook. If you marched, thank you so much for participating. If you served, thank you.

And if you are a gold star family, my thoughts are with you on this day. I express peace, healing, hope, and love to our gold star families. Thanks for watching.

When you get it to go and crispy.

Yes.

Yes. But not while you're in the restaurant.

No, it's not like that at all.

But now I got to hit the fridge cold.

Check one, two. Check one, two. Check.

Check. Check. Check. Yeah. Check. Check.

Not many people.

I know the thing is

Before today's ceremony begins, we ask that you take a moment to reflect upon the missing man table here to your left.

The table is set.

The table is set in a silent remembrance of those who never returned home.

And for those who remain missing in action or prisoners of war, the missing man table has long stood as a solemn military tradition, honoring absent comrades and remembering us and reminding us that they are not with us.

but still here in spirit. The white cloth represents the purity of their intentions when answering the call to service. The single red rose reminds us of the blood shed and sacrifice for our nation and of the families and loved ones who continue to carry their memory.

The lit candle, which we do not have today, but the candle would represent the light of hope which lives in our hearts. The inverted glass reminds us that the fallen cannot partake with us today. and the empty chair reminds us of their absence and the tremendous price of freedom. May we never forget those who are missing, those who never returned home, and all who made the ultimate sacrifice and service to the

United States of America.

Good afternoon everyone. Again, I am Taylor Ferris and I'm honored to serve as a director of veteran services for the city of Fall River. On behalf of the city of Fall River Department of Veteran Services and the Greater Fall River Veterans Alliance, I would like to welcome all of you to today's 2026 Memorial Day post parade ceremony here at Fall River City Hall. As our community gathers here following this

year's parade, we pause once again to reflect upon the true meaning of Memorial Day. Today is about remembrance. It is about honoring the men and women who gave their lives and service to this nation and recognizing the sacrifices carried not only by those who wore the uniform but also by the families, the caregivers, our nurses and communities who stood beside them. This year's observance carries even greater

deeper meaning as our nation commemorates 250 years since its founding. And here in Fall River, a city shaped by service, sacrifice, and resilience.

Excuse me. Sacrifice, resilience, and patriotism. Memorial Day remains one of our most meaningful traditions. Thank you all for being here today.

At this time, I would like to ask everyone to please rise for our presentation of colors and our pledge of allegiance. Councilman Andrew Rapo, please.

Good afternoon. Join me, please. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

I would also like to welcome forward Father Rob Nikkovich to offer us the invocation.

Please join me in prayer at this ceremony following our parade where we honor our military nurses, especially Captain Mary Goff. We thank you for your faithful service.

Let us pray reverently on this Memorial Day. In your presence, we pay our tribute of respect to the memory of those who gave their lives and service of our country. We pray that the souls of these our heroic dead may have found perfect rest in you and receive the crown of unfading life. Oh you eternal lover of souls cherish and bless them.

We entreat you and give unto us the living peace and hope as we think of them in this solemn hour. Before you O Lord God we humbly acknowledge our debt to them and humbly ask you to give us the strength to go on towards the ideals for which they fought and died. Take, O Lord, the veil from their hearts and join us in one communion with all your saints on earth and in the life beyond.

Almighty God, our heavenly father, in whose hands are the living and the dead, we give you thanks for all your servants who gave their lives in service of our country. For through their sacrifice, they have taught us the true meaning of patriotism and that devotion to country which rises above creed, color, and class. To all the heroic dead we honor this day, grant in your mercy, oh God,

the light of your presence. And may the good work you have begun in them be continued by us. This we ask in your most holy name. Amen.

Please be seated.

Thank you, Father Rob.

I would like to first recognize our mayor Paul Coogan, our state representatives, Carol Fiola and Alan Sylvia, as well as Steve.

Um, that's funny. As well as our city council folks as well. I see uh councelor Kuwell there on the end and councelor Reposa behind me. And I also see our fire chief as well, Chief Bacon.

I would also like to recognize our school committee members, veteran organizations, gold star families, community leaders, and all residents gathered with us here today. Thank you for continuing to support the veteran community and the Memorial Day traditions that remain such an important part of our city. Today's ceremony is especially meaningful because it reminds us that service to this nation takes

many forms. Some served on battlefields, some served at sea, and some served through compassion, healing, and care during humanity's darkest moments. And all of those sacrifices deserve to be remembered.

Every Memorial Day after the parade moves through the streets of Fall River and our community gathers here together, there's always a moment where the celebration gives way to reflection.

And that is important because Memorial Day is not simply about tradition. It's not about just simple memory. As a combat veteran, I can tell you that Memorial Day becomes deeply personal once you understand the true cost of service.

Behind every folded flag, behind every name engraved on a monument, and behind every wreath we place, there is a human story. A family, a friendship, a sacrifice. And every one of those sacrifices helped carry this country forward.

Especially this year, marking 250 years since our founding, we're reminded that our nation's story has always depended on ordinary Americans willing to take take a step forward in extraordinary moments. That includes not only soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines, but also our nurses, medics, and caregivers who serve beside them.

People like Mary Goth and Major, excuse me, and Marjgerie Pillsbury, pictured here on the left, a Fall River resident.

Many served as Army nurses during many wars to include the Vietnam War. But Mary served during the Vietnam War, caring for wounded American service members arriving in Japan during one of the most difficult periods in our country's history. Her service brought comfort dignity compassion and humanity to young Americans far from home. And while many people think of a war only in terms of combat, veterans

understand the truth. War is also fought in hospital wards, in recovery rooms, and in the quiet moments when someone fights to save another human life. That kind of service matters deeply and today's ceremony reminds us that compassion itself can be part of an act of patriotism.

Looking around the room here today gives me hope because despite everything happening in this world around us, the city the city still shows up to remember. People still gather, veterans still stand together, and families line the streets. And this community still understands that freedom came at a cost and that also matters. And it says something important about Fall River today. We honor those who gave

everything for this country. And we honor those who care for them.

And we honor the families who carried the weight of that sacrifice long after the war itself was over. May we never forget them. May we continue telling their stories. And may we always be worthy of their sacrifice.

At this time, it is my privilege to recognize this year's Memorial Day Parade Grand Marshall and keynote speaker, Captain Mary Goff, United States Army Nurse Corps.

Mary represents the very best of service, compassion, leadership, and dedication to others.

As an Army nurse during the Vietnam War, she carried she cared for wounded American service members arriving in Japan during one of the most difficult times in our period. But her service did not stop there. For years, Mary continued serving veterans and supporting veterans throughout our community, sharing her experiences with both male and female veterans and helping ensure future generations

understood the true meaning of service and sacrifice. Please join me in welcoming the 2026 Memorial Day Parade Grand Marshall and keynote speaker.

You can place your words there. I'm gonna microphone down here and do your thing, ma'am.

May 31st, 1951, a small child stood with her father at a Memorial Day ceremony in a very, very small town in northwestern Pennsylvania.

She began to cry.

She was listening to the bugler play taps. "Daddy, that is so, so sad. When I grow up, I want to be a nurse so I can take care of the soldiers when they get hurt."

Her father smiled and said, "You would be a good nurse." Today, that little girl stands before you, humbled to be your grand marshal.

The rain disappeared, but if it continued, I would have thought of each raindrop as a raindrop from an eye of a loved one who lost someone defending our country.

The little girl did cho choose nursing as a career. Her second year of school in Erie, Pennsylvania, a recruiter from the Armory presented a program for nurses. Sign on the dotted line and we'll give you $100 a month.

You just need to serve two years. And oh, be sure to tell your parents.

They never said women to Vietnam.

Tell that to the parents of the 10,000 women who did serve in Vietnam. 90% of them nurses.

The following Sunday, four of us who were nibbling at that $100 carrot snuck down the back streets back uh alleyway and into the back of the nurse's residence to sneak in the room to watch the TV show because Barry Sandler was going to sing the ballot of the Green Beret.

We listened to him and we signed up the following morning. Trust me, we weren't thinking about the $100.

We were thinking, I wonder if there's a berry over there for me.

In February 1968, we began six weeks of training at Fort Sam, Texas, learning how to be soldiers, how to march, how to salute, how to yes, sir, how to read a map.

This wasn't important to us. It was the last time we knew the four of us from our school of nursing would be together.

After a short sight short state side assignment, they got orders for Vietnam.

I was crushed. I was the one that wanted to go to Vietnam. I was on the way to the 249th General Hospital, one of two 10,000 bed hospitals in Japan, caring for the wounded coming home.

Two days after I landed in Japan, I was in charge of a 50 bed hospital.

Not one patient had four extremities.

Gunshot wounds that I still dream about in my sleep. And that's okay.

Bodies covered with effects from tropical diseases, massive injuries, one guy without a recognizable face.

Patients for medical care, hepatitis, malaria, and severe jungle rot usually went back to duty. Occasionally, my guys went back to duty, too. I remember one guy came to us because he had accidentally shot his weapon and gone with the big toe on the one foot.

They debreeded it. They stitched it back together. He went back to duty. He came back about six weeks after that.

He did it again.

Now, of course, at this point, you know exactly what was happening. He just didn't want to be in Vietnam.

Two months after that, I picked up the flight tag and I said, "You've got to be kidding me." It was the same guy, but he got his ticket home. He had lost his leg.

The worst part of that tour, once the guys got on the airplane home, we never knew what happened to them. We never knew if the kid with missing his pitching arm that deferred a four-year assignment to Ohio State as their football player, quarterback, did he ever become a gym teacher and mentor children who had that dream?

It's it's a big unknown and that's okay.

As horrible as the injuries were, my three-year education really had prepared me for them. More importantly, my education included three months in a psychiatric facility.

I was more concerned about the injured unseen injuries we now call PTSD and moral injury. Often I would come back in the middle of the night just to talk to guy and listen to a guy that was having a problem.

Many of my stories now I tell at various events.

I returned to the states anxious to get back to my small town growing up. I was ignored.

People turned away.

They no longer had Cherry Cokes in the local cafe.

I walked into the bank to check on my transactions and the teller of the bank at 9:15 put her out to lunch sign in the window.

She was one of my classmates in high school.

A two-year assignment at Fort Bragg as night supervisor followed at a large multi-service unit. I got the army accommodation for that assignment and when I read the citation I just kind of yeah this this is what we're supposed to do as nurses. I really didn't feel I had done anything special, but obviously I had.

I set up a program for women to have their yearly checkups on the major field female ward because many of them had not been checked for four or five years because they could not get a slot.

Two of them were picked up with cancer.

It was a fun time. They never they never did anything fun on that ward. We started and I think I know the tradition continued at the end of my tour at Fort Bragg.

I had lost six close friends from my apartment complex and I had to get away from war.

My father always told me that the army's never going to send you where you want to go. So on my dream sheet I wrote H Highleberg Lunchto you know, someplace else in Germany. And then in big red letters, I I took a magic marker with me for the purpose. I wrote, "Please, please, please do not send me to Ethiopia."

Needless to say, I outf foxed Uncle Sam and was delighted when not only I got orders, but the girl that sat with me did the same thing.

My assignment in Ethiopia was rather unique. I pro I I pulled OB call and I probably spent more time off duty being a nurse in the community with the Peace Corps in some places where I realized to this day I had absolutely no business being when we got there. They give did give us a piece of paper and say don't go beyond this latitude that longitude.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. signed it and they talked about that in basic training, but it didn't really seem terribly important to me and to this day it wasn't.

April 6, 2019, I joined a group of veterans on an allwoman's honor flight from Rhode Island to DC.

They I felt out of place. They had carried packs, wore combat boots, crossed swamps, trudge through desert sands.

I was just a nurse. I just wore a white uniform. Coming back from Japan, they lost my duffel bag with all of my Aubry stuff in it. I really never ever said, "Hey, can I get more?"

The day the pact was signed was the 20th anniversary of my friend Kay's death from Agent Orange.

Typical of many people my age, I needed hearing aids and I went to the VA. I was introduced to the Providence Clemente Veterans Association, which is a college course free to all veterans that addresses all wars starting from the with the Greeks, but through art and the humanities.

That program has saved two lives that I know about.

I also started to think about doing some things with the VA. I had never really entertained that before. Um, I bopped over to Pine Street and I got addicted.

Uh, Kim, who's in charge of women events, has opened up the world to lots of girls and check check her out. We do kayaking, we have coffees, we we just get together and we're with our military family.

The first time I ever spoke about my experience was three years ago at the wall.

That was probably the hardest time I will ever speak about an experience because I was standing right in front of six of my friends from Fort Bragg.

At that time though, I decided to honor those who are living today that give their time and lives to the country. We need to support those still living.

PTSD, Agent Orange, homelessness, drug and alcohol addiction.

any veterans association can lead you to the way where you can help.

Thank you for being for the honor of me being with you today, but more importantly, thank you for honoring all women because that is what I represent.

Thank you so much.

Be seated.

Thank you, Mary, for those powerful and meaningful remarks. At this time, we would like to also recognize an organization whose work reflects dignity, compassion, remembrance, and service to the South Coast. The South Coast Nurses Honor Guard, founded by Darlene Tetro. The South Coast Nurses Honor Guard has faithfully honored nurses at the conclusion of their life through ceremonial tributes preserving the

traditions and spirit of the nursing profession. Their work reminds us that service to others does not end with the uniform comes off. It continues through compassion care remembrance and dignity. Today, Mayor Paul Coogan will present a mayoral citation to Darlene Titro and the South Coast Nurses Honor Guard in recognition of their service to the nursing profession, the veterans

community, and the people of Fall River.

At this time, I would like to invite Mayor Paul Coogan and Darlene to come forward for the presentation.

Thank you.

So, I do want to thank everybody for coming out this afternoon to this very important event to hear what Mary had to say and to acknowledge the service all of our service personnel across all the spectrums did for this country and the ones that regretfully never made it home. But to that end, I'm here today to acknowledge the uh South Coast Honor Guard. their um mission statement. They exist to provide

comfort to loved ones, honor fallen nurses, and to their compassion for others. So, the city of Fall River has put together a citation for Darlene and the entire group here today in honor and recognition of your exemplary service and dedication in paying tribute to fallen nurses at a time of their deaths by performing the night and gale tribute at the funeral or memorial services. The ceremony is

similar to a military tribute and officially releases the fallen nurse from their morning their nursing duties.

Um, congratulations to all of the um, South Coast Nurse Honor Guard and to especially uh, Darlene Tetalt. I've known her for a long time and I wish you nothing but the best.

Thank you, mayor. Before we begin and move forward with our program, uh I want to say something specifically about uh Mary Goff. Um Mary, most of you may not understand, but Mary is an integral part of the veterans community here uh in the city of Fall River. uh she's consistently showing up at things and providing smiles uh to veterans who are not smiling, sharing her thoughts uh and

stories and and and things that I can't even begin to explain. So I I definitely wanted to put that out there. Uh and then on another note, when it comes to the South Coast Nurses Honor Guard, uh I met them roughly about 18 plus months ago, I think. Um, I got a request out of nowhere seemingly to participate in our parade and it was a small group, right?

And they showed up and they were full of spunk and energy and life. Um, and I kind of knew what the background to what their organization was, understanding who the lollipops were back in the day.

And lollipops was a nickname that was given to veteran nurses in the military.

Uh because they would show up with candy, lollipops, and things like that for the soldiers when they were hurting, riding them in pain, going through some of the worst moments of their life. And so that's where that nickname kind of derived from. Uh but since then I've had the pleasure to go to a few of their ceremonies and one of the most meaningful ones uh happened just down the road from here and there were seven

military nurses that were honored among a couple of other uh civilian nurses uh for the work that they did while they were in the military. Uh and this group just never ceases to amaze me. They have grown in number massively. Uh and so I just wanted to also put that out there.

Um, at this time we'd like to move forward in our program. The South Coast Nurse Honor Guard would like to recognize someone whose service, compassion, and dedication reflects the very spirit of nursing and remembrance their organization represents. For her military service as a Vietnam Army, Vietnam era Army nurse, her lifelong commitment to veterans, and her continued example of compassion and

service to others. Mary Goff will now be recognized as an honorary member of the South Coast Nurses Honor Guard. At this time, I would like to invite Darlene and Mary forward for that presentation.

The certificate of honorary membership.

This certificate is proudly presented to Captain Mary Goff, United States Army Nurse Corps, Vietnam era veteran, born October 4th, 1946.

In grateful recognition of your honorable service in the United States Army Nurse Corps during the Vietnam era, including your deployment to Japan, where you provided compassion care to wounded American service members arriving from the battlefield during one of the most difficult periods in our nation's history. In acknowledgement of your lifelong dedication to nursing and your commitment to healing and your

enduring example of service, sacrifice, and humility, honorary member, South Coast Nurse Honor Guard, presented this day with the deepest respect and gratitude.

And as if this couldn't get any more special on the table to our left, Darlene, would you mind?

I'm going to get you for this.

I know. I know you're going to get me for this.

So, those of you that don't know Mary, she's also a Spitfire, too. So, I just got to business.

You want me to hold that for you?

We are going to

get those white bobby pins.

Am I hurting you?

If not, there's certain nurses.

Definitely. Absolutely. Sometimes better we save them, right?

It was.

So we have night and day.

So it's official number and now you have to come to my meetings and join sometimes.

Yes for you today.

I'm sure you have many of these.

Yeah, probably.

So Mary's being presented with a night and gale pin as well as a lamp, her headdress, and a cape.

Here you go, Mary.

And of course, you have to have gloves, too. You know, it's official.

Thank you, Darlene.

Last but not least, Mary, you are extremely close to one of the most talented artists we've seen who has a studio right here in Fall River. And his name is Brian Fox. And Brian recently gave you a print of something, did he not?

He did.

I spoke to him yesterday. Uh, and we had a long conversation and he told me about some other things that he had that you might like and he gave them to me to give to you.

So, first is the war dog.

Yes. You got to let her hold that.

She don't want to let go of anything.

So, that is an unpublished print by Brian Fox of the War Dog.

And next, there are only four of these in circulation.

Brian spoke with Mary while he was doing this. Uh, and so it brings a special meaning to her as well. And that is our Vietnam nurse.

I have to say when the Brian show was in the Narrows, I was there every single day and I didn't really realize the value of it until the last day when I talked to do two Vietnam vets at separate times that had never even said they were in Vietnam.

and they told me some pretty rough stories and they promised me they'd get connected with the VFW.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

You're welcome, Mary. Thank you.

Throughout American history, nurses have stood beside our service members during some of the darkest and most difficult moments in our nation. From battlefield tents and evacuation hospitals to naval ships and veterans facilities, military nurses carried not only medical skills, but also humanity, compassion, dignity, and hope. Many wounded service members remembered small acts of kindness from

wartime nurses, a handheld during a fearful moment, comforting words, simply reassuring presence of someone who cared. Today, today's Nightingale tribute continues that same spirit of remembrance and compassion carried forward by generations of nurses before us.

And it is especially befitting that we recognize both the World War II nurse from Fall River and a Vietnam era nurse, Mary Goff, within the same ceremony today. Two generations connected by service, sacrifice, compassion, and care for others. At this time, I would like to welcome forward Darlene Tetro.

Good afternoon everyone.

My name is Darlene Tetro and I am the president founder of the South Coast Nurse Honor Guard. Before we begin today's tribute, the South Coast Nurse Argard would like to sincerely thank the city of Fall River and Mayor Coogan for the honor of presenting our organization with this special citation today. We are deeply humbled and grateful for this recognition, especially on this Memorial

Day as our nation commemorates 250 years of American history, sacrifice, and service.

We would also like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Talis Doc Ferris, a dear friend, dedicated supporter of the South Coast Nurse Honor Guard, for always including us in events honoring our veterans and military community, including the Memorial Day and Veterans Day observances here in Fall River. His friendship, encouragement, and continued dedication to preserving the memory and

sacrifice of our nation's heroes means more than words can express, and we are truly grateful for his support.

To stand besides those who have served our country is both an honor and a responsibility we hold with deep respect as we participate in ceremonies that preserve their legacy and ensure they are never forgotten.

Military nurses have long answered the same call. caring for the wounded, comforting the suffering, and bringing resilience, selfless care, and enduring dedication into the darkest moments of war along with hope.

Throughout our nation's history, they answered the call with valor, humanity, and unwavering commitment.

Today we gather in remembrance, gratitude, and solemn respect to honor the fallen veteran nurses who answered the call to serve both their country and humanity. Their courage was not measured by weapons carried, but by life saved, hands held, and sacrifices they made amid war and suffering.

If we pause and reflect on their service, we are reminded that nursing in war was not only a profession, but a sacred commitment carried out in the most unforgiving conditions.

They moved through chaos with steady hands in a quiet strength, offering care where others saw only devastation.

From field hospitals, abroad, transport ships, and with makeshift wards, they became the steady presence between life and loss. In moments when time stood still, they offered dignity, comfort, and humanity itself.

As America marks 250 years as a nation, we recognize that freedom has always come at a cost. Their service reminds us that heroism is not found on the battleship. Not only found on the battleship, but also in the quiet moments of mercy, healing, and care given to others in their greatest time of need.

Florence Nightingale's work during the Crimean War during the 1850s set the standard for the modern nursing profession. She became known as the lady with the lamp. At night, she would walk among the wounded, carrying a lamp as she made her rounds, bringing comfort, care, and compassion to those in need.

Today, the night andale lamp continues to symbolize all that Florence Nightingale stood for. Nurses unwavering devotion to duty, dedication to patience, their selfless work, courage, and gentleness.

Though the Crimean War and the Vietnam War were separated by more than a century, they remained deeply connected through the enduring legacy of military nursing and battlefield medicine.

Perhaps Miss Nightingale knew somewhere deep down even then that the light from her lamp would continue to shine into the future through generations of military nurses who answered the call to serve. That legacy continues through those who carry the light of service.

Today, we are privileged to recognize Mary Goff, RN, a Vietnam era Army nurse, an honorary member of the South Coast Nurse Honor Guard, who stands with us today in this special tribute in acknowledgement of her service, sacrifice, and enduring commitment to the nursing profession.

Earlier this month, as members of the South Coast Nurse Honor Guard participated in placing flags at Oak Grove Cemetery, one of our members unexpectedly came upon a grave site of Marjgerie A. Pillsbury, RN, a fellow nurse, veteran, and patriot who proudly served as a first lieutenant in the United States Army during World War II.

and Mary's Marjgery's picture is adorned to uh to my left.

What be um what began as a day of remembrance became a deeply emotional and moving moment serving as a powerful reminder that legacy of nursing and military service lives quietly among us woven into history of our community and carried forward through remembrance gratitude and honor.

With honor and solemn remembrance, we recognize First Lieutenant Marjgerie Pillsbury, RN, along with all foreign fallen veteran nurses whose lives embodied service, sacrifice, healing, and selfless care for those in need.

At this time, we respectfully invite any nurse and veterans present to please rise. Attention

on deck.

Nurse Jessica, please report for duty.

Nurse Cynthia, please report for duty.

Nurse Tiffany, please report for duty.

Nurse April, please report for duty.

Nurse Becky, please report for duty.

Nurse Kelly, please report for duty.

reporting for duty.

Nurse Pam, please report for duty.

Nurse Mary, please report for duty.

Nurse Melanie, please report for duty.

Nurse Denise, please report for duty.

Nurse Lindsay, please report for duty.

All fallen veteran nurses, please report for duty.

All foreign fallen veteran nurses, please report for duty.

Final roll call. All fallen veteran nurses, please report for duty.

Having answered their final call, their earthly duties are now complete. Their watch ended with honor, courage, and unwavering devotion.

They faithfully served both their country and the nursing profession.

They stood beside the wounded. They comforted the suffering. They carried the light into the darkest moments of war.

Today, we honor their sacrifice. We honor their service. We honor their legacy.

These veteran nurses are now released from duty. May they rest in eternal peace, forever remembered and forever honored.

Though their watch has ended, their light endures through the nursing profession and all who continue to serve with integrity, strength of spirit, and steadfast devotion to others. Thank you.

So before you ladies take your seats, Brian gave me something for your organization as well.

So that's a total of five in circulation.

Nothing public.

That's all Brian did. Thank you.

You guys are awesome.

Now we got to pick back up here.

Okay.

Let me see.

All right. So, it looks like the rest of my program decided to go on hiatus, but that's okay. I wrote it. I remember it.

So, at this time, yeah. All right. Uh, at this time I would like for you all to join me in a moment of silence for multiple reasons.

One, for Memorial Day.

Two, uh, this morning I got word the red cap that I, uh, garrison cover that I have on my head is from the Marine Corps League, Lance Corporal John J. Vanis, detachment number 1285.

our comedant passed away after 20 years of being the comedant and the founder of that detachment. Several other people in the room I see wearing that cover. So, if we could please have a moment of silence.

Thank you.

His name was Bruce Aldridge.

At this time, I would like to welcome forward US Navy veteran Jeff Jeff Sarni to read his creation taps.

Um, thank you as always. I thank my son that I'm even alive today and here the veterans association of Bristol County and the Veterans Office and officer and the city for allowing me to do this.

This is called taps. When we were boys and girls, we left our farms, our barios, our apartments and our mansions.

We did it for patriotism, college, a place to fit in or to escape. We became electricians, ship drivers, mechanics, and jacks of all trades. We became soldiers marines airmen sailors guardians, and coast guardsmen. At a moment's notice, we would turn in our families, our books, our tools, our futures, and our lives for a rifle, a tank, or a plane. Too many never came home. Others made it, but were forever

different. And still, others have struggled to move on. Today, they'll take the time to remember us and what we did. But tomorrow, tomorrow they might curse our existence. They might spit on our uniforms. They might twist our mistakes for their own purposes. Or they might take the benefits of our existence to further their own lives. But we don't hate them. We understand. We fought to

give them those rights. All we ask is that they remember we were just boys and girls trying to become men and women. We were students trying to become teachers.

We were apprentices trying to become masters. All we ask is that they continue to honor our dead. Teach your children or their children the stories of how and where they died. They may not remember or they may not care for why they died. Just remember they died for us. This was written in memory of gunner's mate secondass Miller who died on watch on the USS Boxer served in the Red Sea in the Persian Gulf earning the

armed forces expeditionary medal alongside me and my shipmates. It's written in memory of Sergeant Ronald Cubic, Third Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, sorry, and Sergeant Jason Santo, the same regiment. They both earned a silver star giving their life-saving women and children in Afghanistan. And I want to thank the city across the nation.

There's families and and sailors and soldiers that heard their fallen name.

And it's one of the few cities I know that does that outside of the community.

Thank you all. I appreciate it.

Thank you, Jeff. For those of us that know Jeff, that's an extremely personal poem that he created.

At this time, I have the honor and pleasure of introducing Vietnam era veteran, United States Navy, and United States Marine Corps Arthur Caesar to play taps.

Thank you. Thank you, Arthur.

Last but not least is our honor call.

From the civil war so our independence, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the global war on terror, Far River has answered the call. Far River has lost sons daughters fathers mothers.

At this time we will ring the bell three times.

Told the bells.

I would like to welcome forward our next speaker for the benediction.

Join me in the spirit of prayer.

Lord, as we end our ceremonies over this last week and on this day, we ask that the presence of those fallen, that have hovered around us, the spirits of those whom we have lifted up to you, whom we remember, and whom we continue to work out the grand inheritance that they have given us of a nation free and ours to administer and live and love. And so in it, as we depart from

this place, and as we lay down these ceremonies, let us not lay down the love that they gave, the duty that they have handed us, and the responsibility to continue to build upon all that they have offered us, in the goodness of their sacrifice, in the wonders of their love for their nation, and in the humility that we have to carry it forward. We ask your blessing upon all who are here and upon all who have

lifted up these ceremonies in these days that we may continue to be a blessing and to th to tend those who are grieving and to remember to remember to remember the fallen as we go forward to live our lives. Lord, we pray this in your name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Amen.

Thank you, Reverend Stinson.

I want to thank everyone for joining us here today to memorialize and remember our fallen nurses and our fallen comrades. May we continue to do this in Fall River every year as we celebrate 250 years of our country's existence.

Again, I thank you for being here to join us. Have a great evening.

Somebody definitely walked away with my speech, dude. Somebody I think she did by mistake.

Some time back I received in the name of our country the bodies of four Marines who had died while on active duty. I said then that there is a special sadness that accompanies the death of a serviceman.

For we're never quite good enough to them.

Not really. We can't be because what they gave us is beyond our powers to repay.

And so when a serviceman dies, it's a tear in the fabric, a break in the hole, and all we can do is remember.

It is in a way an odd thing to honor those who died in defense of our country, in defense of us in wars far away.

The imagination plays a trick. We see these soldiers in our mind as old and wise. We see them as something like the founding fathers, grave and gay-haired.

But most of them were boys when they died. And they gave up two lives. The one they were living and the one they would have lived. When they died, they gave up their chance to be husbands and fathers and grandfathers. They gave up their chance to be revered old men.

They gave up everything for our country, for us. We owe them a debt we can never repay.

All we can do is remember them and what they did and why they had to be brave for us.