TOPSFIELD -- Every student at Masconomet Middle School looked on silently from the bleachers as a few of their peers walked simple squares of black foamcore to the center of the gymnasium. As the students gingerly placed the squares on music stands in front of the crowd, music department director Randy O'Keefe played "Fanfare for the Common Man" boldly on his trumpet.
From a distance, it appeared that two white strips of paper were matted on each of the five posters. With a closer look, you could see the white strips of paper bore several important names.
Each had a pencil rubbing of a Tri-Town resident's name that was forever immortalized as one of the fallen heroes on the Vietnam War Memorial. Masco students created the rubbings themselves during their annual eighth grade trip to Washington, D.C.
But honoring those lost in Vietnam was just part of the school's Memorial Day ceremony on Thursday, May 24.
Teachers and students gave speeches to commemorate each of this country's wars and the soldiers who had perished during the conflicts. One teacher honored his grandparents, members of the "greatest generation," for their courage during World War II. A pair of teachers shared the history of playing taps at military funerals. Another teacher recited a short poem about young soldiers lying with their comrades in a cemetery.
Many of the speakers were accompanied by a bagpiper from the hallway whose rendition of "Amazing Grace" added an extra solemnity to the event.
The middle school band also added some musical clout to the ceremony, playing "Cimarron Trail," "Eagle Mountain Overture" and "Chester Variations" throughout the hour. The musicians, conducted by Bill Gray, concluded the ceremony with a medley of the Army, Navy, and Air Force songs.
Gray, an Army veteran from the Persian Gulf War, couldn't have been prouder of his talented students, who have practiced nearly all year for the Memorial Day ceremony.
"This was our most important performance, simply for what it represents," he said, adding that the students "absolutely" understood the gravity of the holiday and their participation in it.
"Part of my teaching is to bring personal experience into it," Gray said. "Being a veteran and knowing people who have given their life to protect freedom, I shared those personal stories with the students."
Also impressed with the middle school participants was Dan Mahoney, a veteran of World War II, the Korean War and member of the American Legion Post 227 in Middleton.
"It was terrific," said Mahoney, of West Peabody. "They do a great job every year. The children are remarkable. They pay so much attention, and I know it's hard for them to stay sitting for so long."
Nine representatives from the American Legion sat in uniform at the front of the gymnasium, the esteemed guests of the school. But Mahoney explained that they feel like the lucky ones.
"We've been doing this for years, and it's always a privilege for us to be invited," he said.
Masco Middle School students learned some valuable lessons because of their involvement in the Memorial Day ceremony. Eighth-graders Eleanor Hardy of Topsfield and Nicole Guercia of Boxford got to carry the names of the Tri-Town's fallen soldiers out into the gym.
"Even if you don't know it, a lot of people are affected by Memorial Day," Eleanor said, wearing a red flower in her hair.
"It was a great experience," said Nicole, who wore a red, white and blue pin on her dress. "I'm glad I did it."
Memorial Day events were also held last week at the high school.
