On Memorial Day, a Brockton mother thinks of son's sacrifice

The Enterprise of Brockton, Mass.
www.enterprisenews.com
By Maria Papadopoulos
ENTERPRISE STAFF WRITER
BROCKTON — Gold Star mother Elsie Cadorette of Brockton has felt the pain of losing a child in combat.
Every year since 1968, she has spent Memorial Day thinking about her son, Marine Sgt. Michael J. Cadorette, a "red-headed, blue-eyed boy" who was killed in action in Vietnam on Dec. 7, 1968.
"It means a lot to me," Cadorette, 83, said solemnly Monday of Memorial Day, minutes after laying a wreath at the Veterans Memorial on Legion Parkway in Brockton.
A large American flag provided a backdrop for the ceremony that capped the city's annual Memorial Day parade, one of several held across the region Monday.
Speakers included Brockton Mayor James E. Harrington and former city councilor George Cataldo. Both paid tribute to America's fallen soldiers in wars across the world.
"Many of those brave, noble Brocktonians have laid their own precious sacrifices upon the altar in defense of our lives, and our freedom," Harrington said.
The somber sound of taps echoed through the center of Brockton and throughout the region as Memorial Day observances were marked on town greens in Berkley, East Bridgewater and Lakeville, and as veterans passed by in parades in Easton, Whitman and Bridgewater.
In Stoughton, dozens gathered at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery for services. The ceremony followed the annual Memorial Day parade in the downtown area.
In Taunton, spectators lined downtown streets to honor veterans in a parade that featured the city's police and fire honor guards, along with a contingent of city officials.
The event in Brockton brought together the Brockton High School Band and veterans, who stood proudly to salute comrades who have long passed.
But some World War II veterans said Memorial Day observances have become less popular over the years, and criticized businesses for being open on the holiday.
"People gave their lives so that they could stay in business," said World War II veteran Frank Pagliuca, 82, of Brockton. "You'd think there's one day when they'd keep the doors closed, but it's not that way."
For Elsie Cadorette, the Gold Star mother, the day made her also think of soldiers who, more recently, have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan.
At least 4,082 American service members have died in Iraq since the war started in March 2003. Thousands more have been seriously injured.
"So many young, you know? You never think it's going to happen to you," Cadorette said.

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