Region – Here is a preview of Memorial Day events that will be held in local towns:
Grafton – Ceremonies will be held at the town’s ceremonies starting at 8 a.m. A parade starts in Grafton center, starting at Norcross Park to a stop at the Common, and then to the J.F. Kennedy School via Worcester St. and Providence Road for closing ceremonies. There will be a flag raising ta the J.F. Kennedy School at 12 p.m.
Cars may be parked at Grafton High School, 24 Providence Rd. Busses will leave at 10:45 a.m. for a ride to Norcross Park for the parade. The day’s host is the American Legion Delisle Goulet Post 92.
Hudson – A parade will be held Monday, May 25 starting at the AMVETS, 5 South St., at 8:30 a.m. The parade will step off at 9 a.m. for a ceremony to rename the Houghton Street Bridge to the Capt. Seth R. Michaud Memorial Bridge. Michaud was a Marine helicopter pilot who was killed by friendly fire while on duty in Africa in 2003, supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
The parade will then resume at 9:45 a.m., followed by a ceremony at 10:30 a.m. at Wood Square, with guest speaker Capt. Kristen Walls, of the U.S. Army. A collation will follow at 11:30 a.m. at the Hudson-Concord Elks Lodge 959, 99 Park St.
Marlborough – A 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. The guest speaker will be Jeff Gogan, deputy fire chief, Marlborough Fire Department and a former member of the U.S. Navy. Those marching in the parade include high school and middle school bands, Boy Scouts, the Fire Department Honor Guard, and veterans groups.
Southborough– On Monday, May 25, 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.
Northborough – A parade musters Monday, May 25 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 25, 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.), World War I monument in front of Beal Early Childhood Center (1 Maple Ave.), War Memorial at the town center (corner of Route 140 and Main Street) and at the Veterans Lot at Mountain View Cemetery.
The memorial address at the Town Center will be given by Adam Costello, director of Central Massachusetts Veterans’ Service District. Costello served in the U.S. Army from 2005-2012, primarily as the senior medic with Bravo Company, 1-27 Infantry “Wolfhounds,” 25th Infantry Division.
All local veterans and active military personnel as well any family members of deployed military personnel are invited to march in the parade. Formation begins at 9 a.m. from the Municipal Office Building. 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 24, volunteers from Shrewsbury Girl Scout troops will be placing flags on the veterans’ graves at Mountain View Cemetery starting at 8 a.m. The week leading up to Memorial Day members of Boy Scouts Cub Scout Pack 62 will be placing flags on all the Town Veterans Square Memorials.
Westborough – Activities begin Monday, May 25 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.
During the rifle fire the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts will read the names of veterans who died in 2014.
State Senator James Eldridge, State Reps. Carolyn Dykema, Hannah Kane and Danielle Gregoire will join Lt. Governor Karyn Polito to honor the town’s veterans.
Following the parade, all town officials, invited guests, and veterans groups are invited to the Westborough Memorial VFW Post 9013 for a cookout.
