Multiple gatherings honor the ultimate sacrifice
Onset VFW Post commander Benjamin Baptise salutes the flag. Photo by Brandy Muz
A line of veterans take off their caps during the pledge of allegiance. 
Ervin "Tootsie" Russell's decorated cap.
Rested arms from the minutemen. 
The JROTC await command.
Veterans in a communal moment of silence,
Wareham Police Chief Walter Correia salutes during the playing of Taps.
Ava Knight smiles as Stanton gives her thanks.
Matthew Stanton stands among flags.
Wareham Historical Society president Angela Dunham speaks about the history of Centre Cemetery. 
The minutemen fire their rifles.
Christopher Berg plays Taps in front of Town Hall.
Onset VFW Post commander Benjamin Baptise salutes the flag. Photo by Brandy Muz
A line of veterans take off their caps during the pledge of allegiance.
Ervin "Tootsie" Russell's decorated cap.
Rested arms from the minutemen.
The JROTC await command.
Veterans in a communal moment of silence,
Wareham Police Chief Walter Correia salutes during the playing of Taps.
Ava Knight smiles as Stanton gives her thanks.
Matthew Stanton stands among flags.
Wareham Historical Society president Angela Dunham speaks about the history of Centre Cemetery.
The minutemen fire their rifles.
Christopher Berg plays Taps in front of Town Hall.
Through the misty spring weather, as dew collected on the grass around town, the echos of gratitude for the fallen military service members could be heard by those who stopped to listen.
Six spots around Wareham saw Memorial Day ceremonies Monday, May 25 as the United States nears it's 250th anniversary. Services started at Dudley Brown Square in Onset and continued to Agawam Cemetery, Centre Cemetery, St. Patrick's Cemetery, Centre Park and ended at Town Hall.
The ceremonies were organized by Lieutenant Colonel retired Matt Stanton. In his 12th year being at the forefront of Memorial Day, Stanton said the dynamic of the ceremonies has always been "fantastic."
Stanton is the JROTC teacher at Wareham High School. JROTC is a U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps program designed to develop leadership, discipline and citizenship.
"I'm working with great people from throughout town ans the JROTC cadets get to meet so many nice citizens," he said.
Stanton highlighted senior JROTC student Ava Knight during the Town Hall stop. Knight who will be joining the United States Army after graduation, will go into basic training in Georgia for 18 weeks and will be spending the following four years stationed in Germany.
"Ava has brought all sorts of energy, excitement, dedication and loyalty to the other cadets in the program because she establishes meaningful connections," he said.
The Wareham Minutemen and Militia Company, the Wareham Historical Society, Wareham Veterans Council, and former service members gathered at each spot together. The group participated in prayer, a playing of taps and laying of a memorial wreath.
Stanton said the turnout was better this year and hopes more attend the ceremonies in the future. He thanked those who made the effort to come out through the dreary weather.
"Every year it seems to build a little bit and we would like to see even more," he said. "But it's the ones that take time to pause and reflect on what's important for today— why we have what we do today that matters the most."
As the minutemen put away their rifles and the dampened American flag lay flat against the pole, Stanton called the support for Memorial Day "heartening." Giving special thanks to Nora Bicki, who got the word out about the ceremonies he said he loves to come out every year.
"This is very special," he said. "To see the people that dedicate a majority of their lives to help other people within the town and to recognize their efforts? Today is just an awesome day."
