DEERFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - A local gold star family spoke out after the Frontier Regional School Committee voted against moving a fallen soldier’s memorial plaque to a new baseball scoreboard. Sargent Gregory Allen Belanger was a Frontier graduate killed in Iraq in 2003. His family said the plaque has honored his sacrifice for more than 20 years and is now questioning why it can’t continue to do so in a new location.

Sgt. Belanger’s family said they’re heartbroken by this decision from the school commitee and believe it diminishes the sacrifice their loved one made for the country and his impact on the community.

Sgt. Gregory Allen Belanger was just 24 years old when he was killed in action while serving in the U.S. Army, he was also a graduate here at Frontier Regional. After his death, a plaque honored his sacrifice was placed beneath the school’s baseball scoreboard where it’s remained for more than 20 years.

For many in the community, the memorial has served as a simple but powerful reminder of a former student and loved community member who gave his life in service to his country. Belanger’s family said the memorial represents not only their loss, but a lasting connection between the school and a graduate who made the ultimate sacrifice. Recently, however, the Frontier Regional School Committee voted against moving that plaque to the school’s new scoreboard.

Earlier today we spoke with Belanger’s mother, Kathleen, she said when her sons body returned home to Deerfield in 2003, the school even opened its auditorium for his funeral due to the overwhelming turnout. She told us her family has continued to give back supporting students through scholarships and community service in his memory ever since.

Now, she hopes the school committee will reconsider its decision and allow the memorial to continue honoring her son’s legacy for future generations, “I don’t want children to lose the fact that freedom costs, and it is a sacrifice,” Kathleen Belanger said, “it’s been here all these years, I’m not asking for a new memorial I’m asking for one that’s been here just to move it to a place where I know it will be seen and more appreciated and questioned what is that who is that, that children will know freedom costs sacrifice and Gregory sacrificed his life.”

Western Mass News has reached out to the school committee for comment on this issue, but we have yet to hear back.

Copyright 2026 Western Mass News (WGGB/WSHM). All rights reserved.