Region – Here is a preview of local Memorial Day events:
Shrewsbury – The annual Memorial Day Parade will begin Monday, May 29, 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, where there will be a wreath-laying ceremony.
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. Drop-off is located near the Senior Center side of Town Hall.
Northborough – The parade musters Monday, May 29, at the Civil War Monument, corner of Main and Monroe streets, at 11:30 a.m. Ceremonies will begin at 12 p.m. with a welcome by Gerard W. Bourque of the Vincent F. Picard American Legion Post 234. The parade steps off at 12:15 p.m. and makes stops 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 Howard Street Cemetery Veterans Memorial. Ceremonies at each site include songs by the Algonquin Regional High School choir and marching band, addresses by local Boy Scout troops, reading of casualties/honor rolls, wreath-laying, rifle salute, and the playing of “Taps.”
Westborough – Activities begin Monday, May 29 at 7:30 a.m. with coffee and pastries for participants 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.
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.
Following the ceremonies, all town officials, invited guests, and veterans groups are invited to the VFW Post 9013 for collation.
Grafton – Ceremonies will be held at the town’s cemeteries starting at 7:30 a.m. At 11:15 a.m., there will be a full ceremony in Grafton center. The parade starts at Norcross Park to a stop at the common, and then to Grafton Middle School via Oak Street to Brigham Hill Road for closing ceremonies. There will be a flag raising at Grafton Middle School at 12 p.m.
Cars may park at Grafton High School, 24 Providence Road. Buses 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.
Marlborough – The parade begins Monday, May 29, at 10 a.m. at the American Legion headquarters, 88 Maple St. The parade will march from the American Legion Post to Main Street and finish at Monument Square. Along the way, the parade will stop to decorate the monuments to veterans of the Vietnam War, Korean Conflict, World Wars I and II, the Spanish American War and the Civil War. Each ceremony will include taps and a gun salute. Parade participants will include veterans, local Scouting groups, marching bands and elected officials. The parade concludes at Monument Square where, at approximately 11 a.m., speakers will honor and remember those who gave their lives in service.
Hudson – The parade will be held Monday, May 29, starting at the AMVETS, 5 South St., at 9:30 a.m. The parade will step off at 10 a.m. The parade be followed by a ceremony at 11 a.m. at Wood Square. A collation will follow at 11:30 a.m. at the Hudson VFW Post 1027, 3 Palmieri Drive.