Westport celebrates Memorial Day a little differently due to pandemic

WESTPORT -- For the first time in local memory, there was no Memorial Day parade or public ceremony at Beech Grove Cemetery.

Local scout troops were not present and the 21-gun salute didn’t blast smoke into the sky.

But, at the virtual ceremony with a handful of local officials and veterans, several flags were blowing swiftly in the wind behind the officials -- a reminder that many were still present in spirit to honor deceased veterans.

“One thing that hasn’t change is Westport’s commitment to honor … our fallen heroes,” Veterans Agent Carol Freitas said.

Freitas and other speakers reminded all viewers that Memorial Day is dedicated to honor the service men and women who have died.

“What does it mean? What does it represent,” American Legion Post Richard Spirlet asked, adding “Those who have died in service and all wars the United States has been involved in. It is to honor veterans who have given it all for this country.”

State Sen. Michael Rodrigues and State Rep. Paul Schmid read the names of all Westport veterans who have died.

Freitas and other event organizers pre-recorded the ceremony and played it on local access cable throughout the day on Monday.

She and other speakers acknowledged the collective sadness over how Memorial Day, like many other staples of spring, has been altered in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. She mentioned that many businesses are closed. While some have the day off as a result, many essential workers, and health care professionals, must work through Memorial Day and other holidays to tend to the sick.

Spirlet also harped on that message. He gave kudos to not only the armed soldiers, but the nurses, doctors and paramedics who have lost their lives tending to those wounded in battles or to the sick, especially COVID-19 victims.

“Now the country is fighting an unknown virus and the whole world is involved,” Spirlet also said.

Selectwoman Shana Shufelt told a story about her uncle, a New Mexican native who died in battle at sea.

Shufelt said that none of her relatives live in Lovington, N.M., to visit his grave. However, whenever people visit graves of other deceased veterans, they are paying tribute and honoring her uncle, Shufelt said.