FCTS Principal and Master of Ceremonies Brian Spadafino’s opening remarks at the school’s annual Memorial Day ceremony:
“Today we assemble to participate in a tradition at Franklin County Tech, the Memorial Day exercises. Every day, American service men and women serve our country in locations all over the world. They do so without visions of riches or promises they will be returning to their families in a timely manner, or returning at all.
“Rather, their duty is to protect our freedoms and way of life, protect the inalienable human rights of people they have never met, and spread the idea of democracy around the world. They take on this responsibility knowing that they are leaving behind loved ones, family and friends, for months or even years at a time.
“Many of us either have loved ones or know people with loved ones currently enlisted in the armed forces. Please keep them in your thoughts and hearts.
“The dangers our military personnel face are real, as evidenced by the staggering statistics of the last four wars.
There have been over 7,000 deaths in post 9/11 war operations.
There were 382 deaths in the first Gulf War.
47,413 deaths in the Vietnam War.
And in the five years of World War II (1940-1945) 291,557 American troops lost their lives in combat and 671,846 were wounded.
Additionally, The Costs of War Project estimates that over 30,000 service members and veterans have died by suicide since 9/11.
It is today that we remember and honor those service men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and for all of us.”
The program also included remarks from Marine Corp. veteran and FCTS Aviation Maintenance instructor Michael McIntyre; a reading by student Kristine Given of a Memorial Day Proclamation from Gov. Maura Healy; a history of Memorial Day by student Max Brunette; student Jackson Morey read the poem, “In Flanders Fields”; and student Sam Bodenstein read the poem, "Taps at Twilight: A Widow’s Remembrance.”
Spadafino also acknowledged and thanked the veterans on the FCTS staff, Elizabeth Johnson (U.S. Army), John Hicks (U.S. Air Force), Joseph Mazeski (U.S. Air Force), Lee Laster (U.S. Marines), and Marine Corps. vet McIntyre.
A number of seniors are also joining the military following graduation and Spadafino introduced them – Malcolm Forbes (U.S. Marines), Rylee Fisher (U.S. Marines), Cam Laster (U.S. Marines), Kristine Given (U.S. Air Force), and Levi Halla (U.S. Army).
Spadafino then read a poem by Charles M. Provence honoring soldiers that dedicate themselves to defending freedom.
In his closing remarks Spadafino said, “At some point while you are celebrating the Memorial Day weekend, please take a moment to remember those soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we are able to enjoy the freedoms we have today.”