A hush fell over various spaces across Wareham on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26 as former military members honored those who lost their lives serving. 

The Wareham Minutemen and Militia Company, Wareham High’s JROTC Color Guard and former service members gathered at five spots around Wareham and Onset. The group participated in prayer, a playing of taps and laying of a memorial wreath. 

Chaplain for Onset's Dudley Brown VFW Post, Ervin "Tootsie" Russell was a part of the ceremonies and said he attended to acknowledge his fallen comrades.

"It's an obligation I can't shun in any way," he said, "I'm fortunate enough to be able to come physically and be present myself. There's a lot of unfortunate veterans that are unable to be here."

Russell served in the 23rd Infantry Division in Vietnam and said he is happy to give exposure to Memorial Day.

"To educate the younger people coming is important and to make sure that the older ones not able be here can say, 'yeah, that's right, it's Memorial Day,'" he said. 

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.

Stanton is the ROTC teacher at Wareham High School and has been organizing Memorial Day services for eleven years. He said he gives a notice to participate in the events and people join in with no issue every year.

"I love it because we get to go to different sites and we look at gravestones and think about past wars and the commitment people have made in this community to defend our freedoms," he said.

Many veterans gathered at the various sites and paid respects as the minute men did the three-volley salute. The salute sees a firing of three volley guns with blank ammunition to honor the deceased.

"The really important part is that we actually go and see the sacrificing they did," Stanton said. "It really hits you in the face. 

Stanton gave credit to those who came out and participated in the events and educated the crowd on the history of Memorial Day and all that comes with it.

"These people died defending us so hopefully it gives the whole community a chance to refelct on it," he said.