Region – Here is a preview of Memorial Day events that will be held in local towns:
Hudson – Since 2014 marks the 100th anniversary of the start of WWI, there will be a special recognition and wreath ceremony in Hudson Monday May 26. The parade forms at AMVETS, 5 South St., at 9:45 a.m. and steps off at 10 a.m. The procession marches down South, Broad, Main and Central streets and ends at Wood Square.
The ceremonies include several guest speakers, including State Rep. Kate Hogan (D-Stow), State Sen. Jamie Eldridge, (D-Acton) and Hudson Board of Selectmen Chair Joseph Durant. The Hudson school bands and Hudson Police Honor Guard, as well as the National Guard and military vehicles, will also be participating.
Marlborough ? The parade begins Monday, May 26 at 10 a.m. in front of the American Legion, 88 Maple St., and ends at the Civil War Memorial on West Main Street, with a stop at each monument along the way for a brief ceremony. Those marching in the parade include high school and middle school bands, Boy Scouts, the Fire Department Honor Guard, and veterans groups. Prior to Memorial Day, veterans will decorate each grave with an American flag and say a prayer and fire a volley at each cemetery. Events are organized by the Marlborough Veterans Council, comprised of members from each of the five veterans” organizations in town.
Northborough – The parade musters Monday, May 26 at the Civil War Monument, corner of Main and Monroe streets, at 12 p.m., with ceremonies at the World War II/Korean War/Vietnam War Monument (Hudson and Pierce streets), the First World War Monument (Church and Whitney streets), and the Veterans Monument/Flagpole at the Howard Street Cemetery.
Shrewsbury – The Shrewsbury Memorial Day Parade will begin Monday, May 26, at 9:30 a.m. departing from the Richard D. Carney Municipal Office Building (Town Hall), 100 Maple Ave., and making stops at the following locations: Soldier's Statue in front of Police Station (106 Maple Ave.), War Memorial at the town center (Corner of Route 140 and Main Street) and at the Veterans Lots at Mountain View Cemetery. The Memorial Address at the town center will be given by Donald E. Baima, a retired captain from the Massachusetts State Police and United States Marine Corps veteran.
Formation begins at 9 a.m. from the Town Hall. Parking is available near the Senior Center side of Town Hall. For those who wish to park at the town center there will be a shuttle van running from the Sumner House to the Town Hall beginning at 8:30 a.m.
On Sunday, May 25, volunteers from Shrewsbury Girl Scout troops will be placing flags on veterans” graves at Mountain View Cemetery starting at 8 a.m. The week leading up to Memorial Day, members of Cub Scout Pack 62 will be placing flags on all the town Veterans” Square memorials.
Southborough ? On Friday, May 23, veterans and Scouts will replace all the flags at cemeteries in town. On Monday, May 26, the parade will begin at 9 a.m. at Marlborough Savings Bank, 6 E. Main St., and end at the All Wars Monument in front of the Southborough Library, 25 Main St. The parade will stop at all cemeteries and monuments along the way for prayers, eulogies and a reading of the names of all veterans who died in the past year.
Westborough – Activities begin Monday, May 26 at 8 a.m. with coffee and donuts at the VFW Post 9013, 9A Milk St. Buses will depart for St. Luke's Cemetery at 8:30 a.m., then proceed to Pine Grove Cemetery, Midland Cemetery, and the Forbes Municipal Building's WWI, WWII, Korean War, and Gulf War memorials, 45 W. Main St.
At each stop, there will be the performance of the National Anthem, presentation of a wreath, a prayer, volleys of rifle fire, and the playing of “Taps” during the raising of the flag. Music will be performed by students from Westborough High and middle schools.
Guest speakers include Board of Selectmen Chair George Barrette, the family of honorary Grand Marshal George Perry III, Colonel Brent E. French, Adelene Egan, president of the WHS National Honor Society, and Lorin Reed III, vice commander of the American Legion Post 163.
During the rifle fire the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts will read the names of veterans who died in 2013.
Following the parade, all town officials, invited guests, and veterans groups are invited to the Westborough Memorial VFW Post 9013 for a cookout. To view the online program of the events, click here.