David Dore/Leominster Champion: Retired Colonel Thomas Stewart (left) of the Massachusetts Army and Air National Guard, presents Scott and Catherine Reynolds with the Massachusetts Medal of Liberty on behalf of their son.
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LEOMINSTER — The parents of fallen Marine Captain Ross Reynolds handed out American flags to those who lined Main Street for the city’s annual Memorial Day parade Monday.
This was the first Memorial Day weekend since Reynolds passed away. According to the U.S. Marine Corps, Reynolds, 27, was one of four marines who were killed when an Osprey aircraft crashed on March 18 in a Norwegian town in the Arctic Circle.
The city of Leominster recognized Reynolds’ legacy throughout the weekend’s festivities. It began on Friday evening with the “White Cross Twilight Ceremony,” which honors service members who are missing in action, lost or buried at sea, or buried on foreign soil. In addition to Reynold’s parents’ appearance in the parade, his legacy
was further recognized during the Memorial Day ceremony at Carter Park.
During the ceremony, Reynolds’ parents, Scott and Catherine, were presented with the Massachusetts Medal of Liberty on behalf of their son. The Massachusetts Medal of Liberty is bequeathed on behalf of the governor to Massachusetts service men and women who have been killed in action or who have died as a result of wounds received in action. This year, eligibility for the medal was increased to include those who died during training accidents as well.
One of the speakers at the Carter Park ceremony was Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Terron Skipper, who is currently stationed at Fort Devens. Skipper was one of the Marines who delivered the news of Reynolds’ passing to his parents.
“This community really comes together to remember those who have paid the ultimate measure of sacrifice,” said Skipper, according to the Leominster Champion. “And I got to witness that firsthand a couple months ago. It was something that would forever change me. I have five kids and every day that I get to go home and hug those kids and play with them, I’m thankful for Marines like Capt. Ross Reynolds and his family that afforded me that opportunity.”
