Cynthia DesLauriers, of Eastham, and Yarmouth Deputy Police Chief Steven Xiarhos, discuss the importance of Memorial Day at Dennis Yarmouth Regional High School Monday through their stories of losing sons.
YARMOUTH – Gold Star Families spoke to hundreds of students Monday at Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School on the significance of Memorial Day.
As part of Massachusetts Fallen Heroes’ Patriot Week, a 10-day educational initiative to honor local veterans and the families of the fallen, the students heard personal stories from Yarmouth Deputy Police Chief Steven Xiarhos and Cynthia DesLauriers, of Eastham, who both lost sons fighting in the Middle East.
U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Nicholas Xiarhos, who graduated from DY High School, was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2009.
DesLauriers son, U.S. Army Sgt. Mark Vecchione, was killed in action in Iraq in 2006. Vecchione was the first serviceman from Cape Cod killed after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
Xiarhos said students should know that the holiday is not just a day off.
“In the past many, many, many Americans served whether it was just an average person or even Ted Williams, but since then it is all volunteer and less and less American’s do it.” Xiarhos said. “So we may lose over time the meaning of it and it’s important that we don’t.
DesLauriers told students to always remember those who have fallen to protect the freedoms we all have as Americans.
“On Memorial Day, I want you to have a good time and enjoy your barbeques but also remember why you can do those things that you do,” she said.
Both Gold Star parents described the circumstances of their sons deaths and also spoke with any students who wanted to talk individually after the event.
Xiarhos said he was impressed with the questions and expressions of sympathy he heard from students.
As part of the event, Xiarhos read all the names of Cape Cod military personnel who have died since 9/11.
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