Courtesy photo Making sure to stand at least six feet apart, members of various Hudson military organizations are led in salute by VFW Commander Christina Madden during Monday's Memorial Day services in town.

Orders and recommendations stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic may have curtailed attendance and shortened ceremonies, but many local veterans and their organizations still succeeded in holding observances while remaining in compliance.

Nashua and Hudson were among the local communities where observances took place Monday.

In Nashua, Air Force veteran Barney Barbera, the chairman of the Mayors Veterans Council, sought and was granted the OK by the CDC to conduct brief wreath-laying ceremonies.

Although the CDC guidelines prohibit large gatherings involving the public, local veterans laid wreaths at five locations throughout Nashua Monday morning.

Barbera said six veterans – two each from the American Legion Post 3, the Disabled American Veterans Post 7, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 483 – conducted wreath-laying ceremonies at Hillside Cemetery on Amherst Street, St. Stanislaus cemetery and the Lithuanian cemetery on Pine Hill Road, the Soifert Memorial at Mine Falls Park, and Edgewood Cemetery on Amherst Street.

Across the bridge in Hudson, firefighters “had the honor of raising, for the first time … a 30-foot-by-20-foot Stars and Stripes” donated by several organizations, according to retired deputy fire chief and current Selectman Dave Morin.

The organizations include American Legion Post 48 and Veterans of Foreigh Wars Post 5791, along with Hudson’s Lions Club, Rotary Club and Kiwanis Club, Morin said.

The flag is one of two the groups donated. They will be flown on special occasions and ceremonies.

Post 48, meanwhile, held a small, brief ceremony at Library Park to honor military personnel.

The VFW Post held short ceremonies to dedicate the War Memorials at Library Park, Center Cemetery and the town’s 911 Memorial at Benson Park.

At precisely 3 p.m. Monday, Hudson police officer Allison Cummings played “Taps” outside police headquarters in commemoration of the National Moment of Remembrance.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.

Newsletter