by Jamie Allard ·
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Traditionally, Harvard’s senior veterans who are unable to navigate the sometimes treacherous slopes of the Town Center Cemetery for the Memorial Day tributes have been transported in golf carts. In the past, a local golf club, which is no longer operating, would donate those carts for the parade. This year, however, Harvard’s veterans’ services agent Dennis Lyddy has so far been unable to locate a replacement donor. He and other residents are concerned that this will have a profound emotional impact on these citizens.
"It will be disappointing if our senior veterans—Korean and World War II—can’t be out there," said Harvard resident and veteran Steve Cronin. "If we cannot come up with transportation for them they won’t be able to come on the traditional route. They won’t be able to express their gratitude to those who served before us and with us. This is something they need to do."
VIEW A MAP AND SCHEDULE OF THE MEMORIAL DAY EVENTS
Lyddy said he has been working hard to find a solution but he’s running out of time and options.
"In previous years we would use golf carts or some other high clearance vehicle that will transport any veteran unable to march," Lyddy said. "The golf cart is perfect because of the clearance requirements as the parade travels through parts of the Center Cemetery. Nobody should lose an oil pan from a convertible. We need to help getting these veterans out there. They deserve it."
Harvard has around 275 living veterans. Out of this group, 12 might require motorized transportation into the Center Cemetery to pay their respects, Lyddy said.
Lyddy said he views the tradition of the ceremony as the glue that binds the town together.
"If the young families and children don’t have the opportunity to see these older veterans out there in their uniforms, it will be a real disservice to these men and a missed opportunity for these young residents," he said. "There are a couple of common denominators that bind us together. Memorial Day is one of those days. It is the day to acknowledge those who are no longer with us because of their service to and for us as survivors and as citizens."
Currently, there are more than 437 veterans buried in Harvard’s cemeteries. Flags were placed on all of those graves a few weeks ago by volunteers and veterans in preparation for Memorial Day. Lyddy is hopeful that this year the parade turnout will be greater. "With over 6,000 residents, I am genuinely surprised at the low turnout [in past years]," he said. "However, I am humbled by those people who do take the time to come out and participate in the ceremony."
Those who are able to help provide transportation for veterans or would like additional information about the Memorial Day Parade activities can contact Lyddy at 978-870-7623 or veterans_agent@harvard.ma.us.